Eight pub darts players have won the chance to test their skills against the sport's legends.

Five men and three women will line up against former world champions John Lowe and Eric Bristow, as well as Bob Anderson and the flamboyant Bobby George in an evening at Witney's Langdale Hall.

They won their sporting opportunity thanks to local darts fan Colin Smith who is repeating a charity evening which attracted about 200 people last year.

In the run-up to the event on Halloween night — October 31 — Mr Smith organised a competition at four pubs in Witney; the Carpenters Arms, Butchers Arms, The Elm Tree and Three Pigeons.

From the 35 men and 28 women who entered, the winners were: Wayne Witchell, Jeff Moss, Ursula Boyce, Tracey Radburn, Sarah Woodcock, Pete Eagle, Ian Moss and Darren Hammond.

Mr Smith gave £4,000 of his own money to put on Witney's biggest ever darts event, coinciding with the switching on of the town's Christmas lights last November.

The event raised £500 for the cancer charity UCARE.

The same charity, based at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital, will also benefit from the second darts night.

Mr Smith, whose father died from prostate cancer, said: "I stress this event is all for charity. Every penny made will be donated to UCARE and I hope to do better this time round."

Fans can come in fancy dress to celebrate Halloween and the best dressed will win a dartboard signed by the darts legends.

Mr Smith's efforts have won the praise of another impresario, Ian Holloway, known locally as "Mr Entertainment".

Mr Holloway, whose recent cabaret show at the town's Windrush Leisure Centre raised £840 for Save the Children, said: "Colin's put in a lot of effort for this and I'm sure it'll be a great evening."

The event starts at 7.45pm and includes music from local band The Inflatables. Tickets cost £23 and available from the Three Pigeons pub, Wood Green, by calling 01993 702803, or from Mr Smith on 01993 704715.