EIGHT pub darts players have won the chance to try their arrows against the sport's legends.

The five men and three women will be lining up against former world champions John Lowe and Eric Bristow, as well as Bob Anderson and the flamboyant Bobby George in a show evening at Witney's Langdale Hall.

And they have won the spotlight opportunity thanks to local darts fan Colin Smith, who is repeating a charity evening which attracted about 200 people last year.

In the run-up to the event on Hallowe'en night, on October 31, Mr Smith organised a competition at four pubs in Witney, the Carpenters Arms, Butchers Arms, The Elm Tree, and Three Pigeons.

From the 35 men and 28 women who entered, the lucky eight are: Wayne Witchell, Jeff Moss, Ursula Boyce, Tracey Radburn, Sarah Woodcock, Pete Eagle, Ian Moss, and Darren Hammond.

Mr Smith dipped into his own pocket to the tune of £4,000 to lay on Witney's biggest darts event, coinciding with the switching on of the town's Christmas lights last November.

It eventually raised £500 for the cancer charity UCARE, based at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford.

The same charity is in line to benefit from the second darts night.

Mr Smith, who lost his father to prostate cancer, said: "I stress that this event is all for charity.

"Although I am again prepared to take on the risk of running the event, every penny made will be donated to UCARE.

"And I hope to do better this time round."

There could be a spooky flavour to the evening, with fans encouraged to come along in fancy dress to celebrate Hallowe'en — the best dressed will receive a dartboard signed by the four legends and compere Paul Booth.

Mr Smith, who once played in The News of the World tournament, believes talented local players should get the chance to line up against the sport's heroes.

His solo efforts to bring a major attraction to Witney has won the praise of another impresario, Ian Holloway, known locally as 'Mr Entertainment'.

Mr Holloway, whose recent cabaret show at the town's Windrush Leisure Centre raised £840 for Save the Children, said: "Colin's put in a lot of effort for this, and I'm sure it'll be a great evening."

Tickets for the event, which starts at 7.45pm and includes music from local band The Inflatables, are £23, and available from the Three Pigeons pub, Wood Green, telephone 01993 702803, or Mr Smith, on 01993 704715.