FIVE times world champion darts player Eric Bristow kick-started the darts season at the Seven Stars Inn at South Tawton last Thursday when he took on local players.

The Crafty Cockney won 14 out of his 16 matches, but lost to Seven Stars regular Alan Dunn and Wynne Male, of the Devonshire Inn at Sticklepath, who at 79 proved she is a force to be reckoned with.

Eric, who won every major title several times over in the early 1980s, was booked by the inn's landlord Mark Laverock, who wanted to celebrate the start of the season in style.

'It was a fantastic night,' said Mark. 'I saw Eric in his heyday and he is still a great entertainer. He scored four 180s and had time for a chat and signed autographs at the end of the evening.

'We want to keep the local darts league going and thought this was a way of giving it a good push. The pub was absolutely packed.'

Eric brought his compere with him for the event and the two tour the country for exhibition matches.

Mark said Eric was 'a top bloke' and was the ideal person to kick-start the season.

'He went down a treat — everyone really enjoyed themselves,' he said.

The darts league, known as the Seven Pubs League, includes pub teams from South Tawton, South Zeal, Sticklepath and Belstone.