WORLD darts star Ronnie Baxter has been ordered to pay what he owes towards the cost of his children's upbringing - or he could face jail.

Mr Baxter, who earlier this year reached the final of the World Darts Championship, was told by Hyndburn Magistrates yesterday to start paying off more than £8,000 which he owes the Child Support Agency (CSA).

Gail Illingworth, prosecuting for the CSA, said he had failed to keep up with payments to his ex-wife Carol, who lives with their sons Terrence, 10, and Timothy, eight, in Great Harwood.

The court heard that Mr Baxter, 38, of Barnes Street, Church, currently owes a total of £8,779.82 and received a court summons in May.

The order means Mr Baxter must reach an agreement with the CSA and start paying off the debt when it becomes active next month.

Mrs Illingworth said a maintenance inquiry form had first been completed by Mr Baxter in 1994.

It became effective on July 7 of that year and was altered in March 1996 when both parents had a change of income.

The CSA had previously sent Mr Baxter two letters warning him he was in arrears with his payments and further forms were filled out in August 1996. The Agency warned Mr Baxter they would impose a maintenance assessment order if he did not make 'sufficient' payments.

In February this year he was informed of the CSA's intention to make a liability order through the courts.

Mrs Illingworth said the outstanding payments due between June 15, 1994, and February 18 this year totalled £9,260.29. He had made a payment of £240 direct to Mrs Baxter and a further £240.47 to the CSA, leaving £8,779.82 outstanding.

The order was granted but will not be enforced until next month while Mr Baxter seeks information on his finances.

Mr Baxter, who was accompanied by his girlfriend Rachel Pallister, was representing himself but had no comment to make to the bench.

He also declined to comment after the hearing.

A CSA press spokeswoman said: "The order means we will come to some agreement of payment with the person involved.

"If that is not successful we may apply for the money to be taken straight out of a bank or building society account.

"After that we could apply for a charging order, where the CSA takes money it is owed from the proceeds of any property sold by the person.

"As a last resort, we could apply for the court to commit a person to prison, but only where anything else had failed, and after considering the effect on any children involved."

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