FRIENDS and family will gather for a darts tournament in memory of a Farnworth grandmother next weekend.

The Paulette Bell Memorial Darts Shield has been organised as a tribute to the former pub landlady, who died last year at the age of 60 following a battle with lung cancer.

The event, at the D Havilland Club in Gladstone Road on Saturday, November 26, will also act as a fundraiser for Bolton Hospice, where she was treated.

Cheryl Seddon, Mrs Bell's daughter, said: "The idea came about because I had wanted to do something in my mum's memory and to raise money for the hospice.

"The staff there looked after her during her illness and were absolutely brilliant with her.

"We finally came up with the idea of a darts tournament and the club have very kindly offered to host the event for us.

"It should be a really great day and we are all looking forward to it."

Mrs Bell, who had three children and nine step-children, competed in her local darts league for decades and was well-known as the former landlady of The Feathers in Breightmet, as well as several other pubs in the area.

It is hoped that a number of professional darts players — including Mark McGeeney — will be attending the event, which organisers are planning to turn into an annual tradition.

Lynne Booth, who has helped organise the tournament, added: "Paulette played in the Farnworth darts league for about 30 years, so we thought it would be a great tribute to hold a memorial cup in her honour.

"It will be a lovely way to raise money for Bolton Hospice as a thank you for everything they did for her.

"We want to make this an annual event and every year we will choose a different charity to benefit."

The club will be open from 11am on Saturday, with registration for the tournament open until 2pm. Entry is £3 and there will also be a raffle and tombola.

For more information, call 01204 573480.