BLACKBURN is set to hold its biggest ever amateur darts competition with the winners to face world champion Raymond Van Barneveld.

The King George's Hall Classic will see the Blackburn venue transformed to give local darters a taste of what it is like to play on the world stage.

A little bit of the glitz and glamour of the world championships will come to Blackburn with lights, cameras and giant screens adding to the occasion while PDC referee Bruce Spendley will oversee matters.

The Classic, organised by Blackburn with Darwen Council, is a part of Celebrate Blackburn - a month-long programme of sport, fashion, arts and culture and food events.

It is also being run in conjunction with Blackburn Premier League Darts.

The format will see the top four Premier League Darts players joined by four qualifiers who will take to the stage at King George's Hall on Thursday, July 17.

And all eight finalists will get to play against the legendary Barney, four times BDO world champion and last year's PDC champion.

There will also be the opportunity for six prize winners on the night to play against the darts ace as well as the winners of two competitions - to be run in the Lancashire Telegraph and the council's Shuttle newspaper.

Brian Gouldthorpe of the Blackburn Premier League Darts described it as the chance of a lifetime.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for local darts players," said Gouldthorpe. "Barney is a legend and to play against him really is the chance of a lifetime.

"Darts is very popular in the Blackburn area and I am sure the event will be well supported and will be a big success.

"There are some very talented players in this area so I think the quality on the night will be very good."

Premier League champion Dave Place will be joined by brother and runner-up Darren along with Jeff Baron and John Phillips. Four qualifying rounds at venues yet to be announced will take place next month to finalise the Classic line-up.

The eight finalists will be playing for £1,000 prize money with £500 to the winner, £250 for the runner-up and £125 for losing semi finalists.

"This is the biggest amateur darts competition that has ever been held in Blackburn," said Geoff Peake, events and promotions manager at King George's Hall. "We have held the Premier League Darts events here before and they were very successful.

"This will follow a similar format but it will be the amateur players who get their chance under the spotlight."

Tickets are expecting to go on sale later this month.