THE search is on to find the best young darts players in Bolton.

The sport is widely regarded as one only played competitively by adults.

But one of the biggest darts leagues in the town is organising a competition to let the youngster have a go and show what they can do.

The Bolton Juniors Open Darts Competition takes place this weekend and there is still time to enter.

It is in two age categories – six-to-nine-year-olds and 10-15-year-olds – and will be staged at Rumworth Hall on Prescott Street, Daubhill, on Sunday.

Darren Bentley, darts secretary of the Triple D Darts League, said: "Darts is very big in Bolton and played by a lot of people in a lot of leagues.

"But it only seems to be played by adults and we want to throw it open to the youngsters in the town.

"They are the future of the darts league so it's good to get them involved early, and who knows they might find they are good at it.

"It's a great game and it's good for their maths as well.

"It's being organised by our league but it's open to anyone who wants to enter.

"It's the first junior darts tournament I know of. I've spoken to a few other people and no-one can recollect another junior tournament ever taking place in the town.

"We're trying to make it fun and enjoyable for youngsters by having medals for every participant and trophies for the winners, runners-up and semi-finalists in both age groups.

"It will be good to have a Bolton junior champion and good to get youngsters involved in the sport.

"There are a couple of 16-year-olds who play in the league so we set the age limit at 15 to open it up to younger ones.

"It's giving them a taste of what it is like to play darts and hopefully if it takes off it will become an annual tournament.

"This is a taster really to see what kind of appeal there is for a junior tournament with youngsters."

And the Triple D league's plans also extend to providing the first senior Bolton darts tournament.

"We'll see how this one goes first, and how the venue handles it, and if it goes well we'll be looking to organise a senior Bolton Open Tournament, probably in January or February next year.

"We want to do it because there's not an official Bolton Open Championship and it will be good to find the champion of Bolton for both men and ladies.

"We've got two two big darts leagues in Bolton in the Triple D League and the Astley Bridge League, then there are a few other smaller leagues in the town.

"We have the individuals' competitions in both main leagues so we have the leagues' individual champions but it would be good to have a competition to find the overall champions of Bolton.

"They do it in other sports in Bolton like golf and tennis where they have the Bolton championships, but we don't do it in darts and it would be good to."

Anyone who is interested in taking part in the Bolton Juniors Open Darts Competition can contact Darren on 07973 776295 or email him at tripleddarts@gmail.com.