RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD has set his sights on retaining his Blue Square UK Open title at the Reebok Stadium next month.

The World Darts Champion is among over 170 players who will compete in the £150,000 event, which is screened live on Sky Sports.

Van Barneveld battled past defending champion Phil Taylor on his way to picking up his first major PDC title last June, and is aiming to retain the title.

The tournament has become known as the FA Cup of Darts', with top players able to be drawn against each other at any stage.

Van Barneveld, Taylor and the other top 32 ranked players - following eight qualifying events staged around the UK - will come in at the fourth round stage on Saturday June 9.

The professional players are joined by 32 pub qualifiers following a series of knockouts staged in Punch Taverns houses.

One player, Bacup's Chris McTernan, has been handed the draw of a lifetime against 18-year-old Dutch wonderkid Michael van Gerwen.

Bolton's Paul Williams enters the event in round two on Friday night against the winner of the clash between London-based duo Vernon Sheppard and Michael Barnard. Tickets, priced at just £10, are still available for Thursday June 7 and Friday from the Reebok Box Office on 0871 871 2932.