Manx Darts Festival build-up begins

Manx darts players have the opportunity to pit their skills against some of the world's best at next month's three-day Isle of Man International Darts Festival in Douglas.

Around two dozen of those who competed in January's British Darts Organisation's Lakeside World Championship will be toeing the oche at the Villa Marina, along with former world number one Gary Anderson and defending Manx champ Gary Robson.

But the main attraction at the £20,000 event will be one of the sports greatest characters, Andy 'The Viking' Fordham.

In addition to the prize money paid down to the last 64, there will be a £50 bonus for the best Manx player.

The women's championship will run alongside the men's competition, featuring last year's winner Julie Gore from Wales, Trina Gulliver and world champion Russian Anastasia Dobromyslova.

Last year the best Manx performance was from Edith Duckworth in the women's singles.

Play starts on Friday 7th March with the mixed pairs competition and the Winmau Masters Youth Competition for 13-17 year olds.