The festive period means plenty of television darts action for fans of the oche – and it’s far from over.

The PDC’s William Hill World Darts Championship reaches its climax tomorrow night after two-and-a-half weeks of Alexandra Palace arrows action – apart from a Christmas and new year break.

However, as one tournament closes, another one opens.

On the other side of London the oldest – and arguably the most famous competition, the BDO’s Lakeside World Professional tournament – is about to get under way.

A couple of players from the south will be aiming to make their way to the Frimley Green final, and hoping they will do better than Hampshire’s only representative in the Professional Darts Corporation event.

Four times major winner and PDC world number six, James Wade went out in the second round. The Aldershot ace defeated Welshman Jamie Lewis in the first round before being ousted by Stephen Bunting – who, confusingly, is the current BDO champion (he changed codes soon after winning last January).

Scott Mitchell – otherwise known as ‘Scotty Dog’ from Bransgore on the edge of the New Forest – is making his sixth successive appearance at the Lakeside.

After bowing out in the first round three times and twice in round two, Mitchell would have been hoping for a reasonable draw this time around.

But he has been pitched against England’s Tony O’Shea who, despite an under par season on the circuit, is favourite to claim the title.

However the year has been a success story for Mitchell who has picked up half a dozen titles – including the British Open crown.

And the landscape gardener could have the pyschological edge over his golf course greenkeeper opponent. He has played O’Shea six times and won five on the bounce – only losing out the last time they met in November.

Mitchell said: “When they make the draw and you have people like Tony and Jan Dekker not in the top 16, I’m not going to lie, you are hoping to avoid them.”

But Mitchell points to his success with England to back up his list of recent tournament wins – being a member of the squads that won the European Cup, the Home Nations and the Six Nations. He also won the Dutch pairs title with Richie George.

“I know exactly what I’m going to get when I play Tony – if I’m not at my best then I will be on my way home,” added Mitchell.

“But, with the titles I have won and my success with England, if I am not confident now I never will be.

“Ninety per cent of the crowd are going to be for him (O’Shea) because that is the type of guy he is.

“I believe it was Tony himself who told me that you have to be at the Lakeside six or seven times until you really get used to it.

“I think I have been there long enough now not to be nervous – hopefully with my record against him he will be the one who is nervous.”

Mitchell’s opening clash was due to be the second match today but has been moved to last game on tonight.

However, Hampshire have an interest in the opening match of the championship as young Sam Head from Portsmouth makes his second appearance.

Head made his world championship debut last year at the age of 20 – unfortunately he was knocked out by the competition’s oldest player Mike Day in round one.

Head followed up his Lakeside experience with a successful year, reaching the finals of the French Open and Catalonian Open where he lost out to Remco van Eijden and Alan Norris. He also reached the semi-finals of the Isle of Man Open.

His preliminary round opponent this time around is Sweden’s Peter Sajwani.