World Disability Billiards and Snooker (WDBS) have confirmed the schedule will include a first-ever competition open to players from all eight classification groups.

It is due to be held at the South West Snooker Academy in Gloucester this summer, with a date yet to be confirmed, and will be played in the six-red format.

The 2017 campaign will feature return visits to Hull and Manchester, as well as tournaments at new venues in Derby and Wolverhampton.

"The WDBS is going from strength to strength and we are expanding our events year-on-year," WDBS chairman Nigel Mawer said. 

"I want to thank the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association for supporting us and enabling us to put on our events.

“We have built up a large player base from the UK and we have players from as far afield as India who play in our events."

He added: "We are in negotiations to run events in Belgium and Ireland, as we need to grow our events into Europe and beyond to achieve our goal of returning to the Paralympics.

“We have attracted some sponsorship for our events in the UK and in order to maintain our growth we would welcome sponsorship support from small and large companies who can become partners in helping the WDBS provide these rewarding opportunities for people with disabilities."

Group one to five classification players will be involved in the first WDBS event of the season as the Manchester Classic is scheduled for March 10 to 12.

The Open Disability Snooker Championship in the classification group is then set to be held from September 22 to 24.

Those with sensory disabilities, who fall into groups seven and eight, will compete at the Derby Open on May 12 to 14.

Later in the year, the WDBS will return to the Tradewell Snooker Club for the Hull Open on November 10 to 12 and will mark the final event of the season.