The 23-year-old world number one beat Welshman Matthew Stevens 10-6 after a second period recovery that has become something of a trademark for him in this competition.

Higgins takes home £75,000 in prize money from Bournemouth, while the 21-year-old world number 26 pockets £39,000 as a consolation.

Matthew Stevens congratulates the new champion

The new UK champion also won £5,000 for a 141 break to clear the table in one of the earlier rounds.

Only Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis and John Parrott have won the double before.

Higgins said after his win: "Sometimes when I wake up I still have to pinch myself to make sure I am world champion and world number one."

"Now I've won the UK title as well I am going to have to pinch myself that bit more. It's going to take even longer now for it to sink in."

Stevens made a brave fight of the early stages to claw his way back from 3-1 and 4-2 down to snatch the lead 5-4.

'Fantastic feeling'

But then Higgins pulled the rabbit out of the hat to show exactly why he is currently the best player in the world.

Drawing level with a break of 73, he romped to breaks of 84, 107, 40 and 90 to take the title.

Higgins said it was a relief to win the title after losing his final against Stephen Hendry in 1996.

"But it's a fantastic feeling to join such snooker greats who have done the double," he said.

"I came down here hoping to win this title for the first time and it's a dream come true.

'Dream come true'

"In the first session today I was struggling as I have done at the start of most of my matches this week. But in the second session I started playing more like my old self.

"I was delighted to be 8-5 up going into the final interval, because all I had to do then was hold myself together and I was home and dry."

Stevens was philosophical in defeat.

"I had a chance to go 8-7, but after missing that black I had too much to do," he said.

"But I enjoyed every minute of it out there and it was a dream come true to play John in such a big match."

Result:

J Higgins (Scotland) bt M Stevens (Wales) 10-6