COLCHESTER potter Ali Carter has pulled out of snooker's BetVictor Gibraltar Open, due to fears caused by Coronavirus.

The world ranking event was due to get underway yesterday and runs until Sunday.

However, Carter, who grew up in Tiptree, has reluctantly decided not to travel, along with other top players Neil Robertson, David Gilbert, Stephen Maguire and Graeme Dott.

In a Tweet, he said: "I've been advised not to take any unnecessary risks due to my compromised immune system and previous lung issue."

Colchester-born Carter fought back from lung cancer in 2014.

The two-time World Championship runner-up had to undergo an intensive course of chemotherapy, having previously recovered from testicular cancer.

Despite not playing, Robertson is still in pole position to win a huge £150,000 bonus.

The Australian leads the BetVictor European Series going into the last event but Judd Trump can still overtake him and land the bonus if he goes all the way to the £50,000 top prize in Gibraltar.

Following the withdrawal of players since the original draw, some players have been replaced with those on the unsuccessful amateur list who still wished to take part and the rest have been marked as walkovers.

There will be a limit of 100 fans in the arena in each session, at the Europa Sports Complex.

This regulation, which applies to all HM Government of Gibraltar public events, is a precaution against the spread of Coronavirus.