British Open Hails New Sponsor Harris

Organisers of the 2004 British Open have announced that the longest-established event in world squash has acquired a new sponsor LG Harris.

The Harris British Open Squash Championships - Nottingham returns to the East Midlands city for the second successive year later this month from 31 October to 6 November, following qualifying rounds at Nottingham Squash Club. Action from the last sixteen onwards will be staged will be staged on the all-glass court at the city's Albert Hall.

"LG Harris is delighted to be the title sponsor of the 2004 Harris British Open Squash Championships - Nottingham," said Stuart Hobbs, the company's Sales & Marketing Director. "As one of the world's largest and best known manufacturers of paint brushes and decorating equipment, we are pleased to support the sport of squash and in particular the British Open which is in our view the most important championship in the world."

Championships Chairman John Beddington responded: "We welcome LG Harris as title sponsor of this year's British Open. Harris is a top quality company founded in 1928 - in the same decade in which the British Open started its historic pedigree - and we look forward to a highly successful championship together this year."

The Harris British Open will feature men's and women's events led by the world's leading players, as well as a full programme of men's and women's Masters events.

The new sponsorship has led to the women's event being upgraded to a WISPA Gold level, which guarantees a star-studded field that will be led by the defending champion Rachael Grinham, the world No1 from Australia, and England's world No2 Cassie Jackman, runner-up both in 2003 and 1999.

Men's title-holder David Palmer, the world No4 from Australia, will be aiming to win his third men's British Open title in Nottingham. Last year's beaten finalist Peter Nicol, the England No1 who was the champion in 1998 and 2002, is also certain to be competing in the event.

The event will be boosted by a special BBC Sport highlights programme which will be broadcast on BBC TV Grandstand on Sunday 7th November.