Bobby George ready to help darts stars at the double

Darts legend Bobby George believes a star could be born in the John Smith's People's Darts competition.

The Publican​ has teamed-up with the beer brand to give amateurs across the country the chance to play in front of a packed crowd before the BDO World Championship final at the Lakeside in Frimley Green, Surrey.

Bobby, twice a finalist at the event himself and now a BBC pundit, will provide top-tips along the way for those taking part.

He told The Publican​: "It's great because it gets people in the pub playing darts, having some fun.

"And they get the chance to play at Frimley Green - but they might need to wear a nappy on the night because it will be a nerve wracking experience.

"But there are great players out there and this gives them a chance to play on a big stage."

The eventual winner will pick up £15,000 for their chosen charity and the chance to compete in three professional BDO tournaments.

To get there they will have to play a series of regional events in the best of three legs of 501 - what Bobby describes as "proper darts".

The final two will then battle it out at the Lakeside in January.

Along the way there will be the opportunity to have master classes with either Bobby or a host of other pros. Pubs taking part will also have the chance to put on an exhibition with one of the game's biggest names.

For Bobby, the link between the pub and darts is vital and he started his own journey playing at the Maypole in Barkingside, Essex.

"Pubs are important for darts and darts are important for pubs.

"And darts is really picking up now, it's like it was in the 1970s and 1980s. There's loads of young people playing so landlords should get a board up in their pub. It doesn't cost much and it gives pubs some atmosphere."

To enter the John Smith's People's Darts Competition, players will have to compete in darts events at pubs selling John Smith's - for details, ask staff in participating pubs, see posters, or visit www.johnsmiths.co.uk/peoplesdarts.

Regional finals take place on the following dates:

• Yorkshire, The Irish Centre Leeds, November 9

• Scotland and North East England, Coundon WMC, Bishop Aukland, November 16

• Central and South Wales, Willenhall Social Club, Coventry, November 22

• North West England and North Wales, King George's Hall, Blackburn, November 23.

• South of England, Lakeside, Frimley Green, Surrey, November 30

For more information visit www.johnsmiths.co.uk/peoplesdarts