THE Wyre Forest opponents of four darts "legends" will be decided by a series of knockout tournaments raising money for the Back on Track appeal.

A special event will pit Wyre Forest's best against darts players against Eric Bristow, John Lowe, Keith Deller and Cliff Lazarenko.

It will follow the outcome of in-house competitions to be held in pubs and clubs throughout the district with the price of entry going towards the appeal run by the Shuttle/Times & News.

Players of both sexes from Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport's darts leagues are gearing up for the occasion.

John Biles, secretary of Kidderminster Darts League, said: "I have been getting in touch with every pub in Kidderminster and they all seem interested.

"Back on Track is an important cause. If children are allowed to play their chosen sports they can become the stars of the future. That's how you get Olympic winners. You need to be able to provide the equipment and facilities."

Paul Walsh, secretary of Marston's Bewdley Darts League, said: "People at Stourport Hockey Club and Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club enjoy their sport like we enjoy ours. If we can help them out at all it has to be a good thing."

Melvyn Bourne, chairman of Stourport Darts League, said: "It's getting harder and harder to keep darts games going in pubs so I know how hard it is for clubs to keep running at the best of times."

Semi-professional darts player, Matthew Sheehan, is the promoter of the Legends of Darts event. It takes place on Saturday, May 24 at the Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre in Kidderminster.

He said: "The hockey and athletics clubs have to rely on donations and appeals to get their equipment back. It's down to people in the community to help do this and my hat goes off to those who put hard work in for good causes."

He added: "People at these clubs are willing to put in their time and effort to keep things going and to provide a place for youngsters to go. Now they need the help of the community."

For more information about the tournaments across Wyre Forest, contact Mr Biles for Kidderminster on 07821 353480, Mr Bourne for Stourport on 079145 87261 or Mr Walsh for Bewdley on 07976 383516.

See related link below for all the details of the Back on Track Appeal.