WORLD champion Lisa Ashton has warned the army of fans expected to cheer her on at the BDO World Darts Trophy this weekend that victory will not be a foregone conclusion.

The Bolton-based darts player is third seed for the tournament, which kicks off at EventCity, next to the Trafford Centre, today.

She is ranked behind two former world champions - top seed Anastasia Dobromyslova, who beat her in the final of the tournament last year, and Deta Hedman.

But the Lancashire Rose believes the standard of the field is so high that everyone in the draw should be considered a contender.

“I wouldn’t say that there was one person who I could single out,” said Ashton, aged 44, of Johnson Fold.

“Everybody is in contention for the title.

“The standard is just as high as the world championships.

“Fallon Sherrock, who I beat in the world final, is a real up-and-coming talent, so I will have to be at my best to win.”

Sherrock, who is seeded four, will face Paula Jacklin in her first-round match today, when Hedman will kick off her tilt at the title against Trish Gulliver.

Ashton, who became only the third woman to win consecutive BDO world championships when she beat Sherrock on the final in at Lakeside in January, will play her first-round match against Swedish qualifier Maud Jansson tomorrow, when Dobromyslova will face Casey Gallagher.

The women’s competition will be run in conjunction with the men’s tournament, with BDO world finalists, champion Scott Mitchell and runner-up Martin Adams, heading the field.

“It will be fantastic to play such a big tournament so close to my home town,” said mum-of-two Ashton, who regularly plays club darts in Bolton.

“I know I will have lots of friends and family cheering me on, I just hope I can do them all proud.

“I have unfinished with this tournament after losing against Ana in the final last year, so let’s hope I can go one better this time.”

In total, 48 of the best darts players in the BDO will be fighting it out over four days of competition with the finals on Sunday.

Tickets, priced from £16 for a standard single day pass to £89 for a premier single four-day pass, are available by visiting www.ticketline.co.uk or www.bdoevents.co.uk or calling 0844 888 9991.