Bewdley local prepares for PDC World Darts Championship

BEWDLEY darts star - Luke Woodhouse - is preparing to play in the PDC World Darts Championship in front of 3200 fans, at the Alexandra Palace on Monday.

The annual spectacle kicks off on Sunday, December 15. Pitting 96 players against one-another in competition for the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy.

Woodhouse is due to play his round one tie against Lourence Ilagan on the afternoon session of Monday, December 16. The final is set to be contested on Friday, January 3.

Ahead of the tournament, Woodhouse said: "Everyone knows that it's the biggest tournament of the year. It's the one that can change your life if you have a good run in it.

"I think being at Christmas as well... it's all sold out and it's just a really special tournament."

Despite competing on the biggest stage of all, Woodhouse still regularly throws for his old Bewdley team at local pub, The Waggon and Horses.

Speaking to the BBC, Woodhouse said: "It's brilliant, I've played with the same sort of team, the same mates, for 18 years.

"I probably feel more pressure playing in a pub than I do on the stage at the World Championships, to be honest.

"Everyone expects you to play well and sometimes it doesn't happen.

"For some reason having 10, 15 people watching you on one board is more nerve-wracking than having thousands behind you watching you."