Another former Embassy World champion has thrown his darts into the ring to try and win the Daily Echo Hampshire Open top prize of £1,000.

Welshman Richie Burnett, who won the title in 1995, will be at Fleming Park Leisure Centre on Saturday, May 13 along with 1997 champion Les Wallace and a host of other top players.

Professional Ronnie Baxter, Embassy runner-up for the last two years, is bidding to take the title along with the likes of Hampshire's Frimley Green regular Colin Monk, Andy Jenkins, Paul Hogan and Kevin Painter.

But the cream of the crop know they are unlikely to have it all their own way as quality county, super league and pub players take the chance to share the oche with the best.

Hampshire Darts Organisation general secretary Frank Branscombe said: "The competition has attracted a lot of interest from all areas. We have some big names coming along but they are wise enough to know they can be beaten and pub players have the opportunity to play or watch them."

Around 20 boards will be needed to cope with the entries which should be in by this Saturday.

Registration will be at 10.30 and players should be ready to toe the oche at 11.30 with a finish estimated at 6pm. Games will be best of five legs of 501 up to and including the quarter-finals. The semi-finals are best of seven and the winner will have to get the best of nine legs of 501.

Spectators are welcome and will be charged £2 entry.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.