TOP darts player Raymond Van Barneveld is said to be "disappointed" after the thief who stole his lucky darts failed to return them.

Dutchman Van Barneveld, also known as "Barney", competed in the Budweiser UK Open darts championship at the Reebok Stadium in June.

He won the £30,000 title, but was distraught when his darts were taken from the drinks podium on stage.

Van Barneveld said they had a special place in his heart because he threw a perfect nine-dart finish - the equivalent of a 147 in snooker - with them in February.

His hopes were raised when the Reebok Stadium had a call from a fan who claimed his friend took the darts and then gave them to him.

Matt Porter, of the Professional Darts Corporation, said: "I had a call from a guy claiming his mate had given them to him. I even offered to have them collected if he didn't want to drop them in.

"However, the caller insisted on posting them and, surprise surprise, despite the offer of a reward, they haven't turned up.

"It's a real shame, it was Barney's first tournament in Bolton and he's disappointed not to get his lucky darts back."

At the time of the theft, Van Barneveld said: "These darts are special to me.

"I don't blame the fan who took them. Everyone was very excited and there was a great atmosphere.

"Whoever it was must have just been caught up in the heat of the moment."

The four-times world champion did not report the theft to the police at the time.

However, he offered the person who took them another set of his darts as a replacement.