Doncaster snooker player gets Thailand flight wheelchair go-ahead

A disability snooker player has been given the green light to take his electric wheelchair on an aeroplane, allowing him to travel to the world championships.

Matt Lester, who has cerebral palsy, is set to play in the upcoming World Disability Snooker Championship in Thailand.

The 36-year-old from Doncaster spent five weeks attempting to get confirmation from Thai Airways his wheelchair could be stored in the aircraft’s cargo hold.

Mr Lester said: “To eventually have it all sorted and be able to concentrate on playing in the world championship, I just feel completely elated.”

His electric wheelchair has a battery which cannot be removed and taken in hand luggage, so he had required the airline’s approval to take it in the plane’s cargo hold.

“I think it’s a lot more than a coincidence that my story got told by the BBC and then, all of a sudden, it’s sorted,” he said.

Mr Lester said he could now focus on the inaugural tournament, adding he felt “quietly confident”.

“My preparations, although I’ve been a bit sidetracked, are still going really well,” he said.

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