Ditton's Barry Hawkins won eight frames in a row to reach the World Snooker Championship final for the first time in his career on Saturday night.

Hawkins (pictured) now faces defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in the best-of-35 frames final on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

The 34-year-old trailed Ricky Walden in his semi-final 6-2 and then 12-8 at one stage before he responded to lead 16-12.

Walden hit back to make it 16-14 before Hawkins booked his place in the final.

World number 14 Hawkins had never previously gone beyond the second round.