Win chance to play darts at the Lakeside

Any amateur darts player will have dreamed of stepping onto the oché and throwing for a double in front of a packed house.

And now thanks to the John Smith's People's Darts tournament, in association with The Publican​, that dream could become reality.

The competition will give amateurs the chance to learn from legend Bobby George, battle it out before the World Professional Darts final at the Lakeside in Frimley Green, and experience life as a professional.

To enter players must compete in darts events at participating John Smith's outlets over the next two months. Each pub will then nominate a champion to represent it in one of eight regional finals.

The winners will be given training from a team of experts including Bobby George. He and other pros will visit participating pubs to put on exhibitions and master classes.

Bobby said: "I'm really looking forward to seeing this event develop through the regional finals to the Lakeside.

"It's an amazing project to be involved with and a fantastic opportunity for amateur darts players to put themselves up there with the best."

Eight will be whittled down to two in a series of matches played at the Lakeside in January. The John Smith's People's Darts Final will then take place on the main stage before the BDO World Professional final.

The winner will pick up a prize of £15,000 for their chosen charity and the chance to compete in three BDO tournaments including one in Spain's Torremolinos.

There are also prizes for all those that make it to the final eight.

Gareth Turner, of Scottish & Newcastle UK, which owns the John Smith's brand, said: "We are genuinely excited by the potential that the John Smith's People's Darts competition has to put pub darts on the biggest stage in the world and we are delighted that The Publican​ has agreed to work with us to achieve our aims."

• For entry details keep checking www.thepublican.com​