WORLD number one darter Michael van Gerwen is heading to Barrow next week as he steps up preparations for the biggest tournament of the year.

Mighty Mike, the 2014 World Champion, and fellow Dutch arrows ace Vincent van der Voort, twice a world quarter-finallist, are the stars of the show at an exhibition night at Hawcoat Park on Thursday, December 8.

The duo, who head to the PDC World Championships at Alexandra Palace later this month, will battle it out with members of the crowd in singles and doubles matches and then take on each other to entertain the audience.

Van Gerwen heads to Barrow as the undisputed best player in the game, having won the Masters, the Premier League and UK Open among a raft of titles in 2016.

Organiser Glenn Higgins is thrilled to have the in-form Dutchman in town just weeks before the World Championships, and said: “Both Michael and Vincent will be playing a selection of singles games against members of the crowd, and then they will be playing pairs games where they team up with members from the crowd, before a head-to-head.

“Michael and Vincent are going out and doing exhibitions and it is almost a warm-up for the World Championships for them. It's a very different scenario, but they are out playing in front of crowds and it should be a great night.

“It's a chance to see the best player on the planet, and it would be a great Christmas present to take someone along.”

Tickets for the event – starting at £17.50 – are still available, and can be purchased in person from Hawcoat Park Sports and Social Club, or by calling 01229 825000.

The Evening Mail have teamed up with Hawcoat Park to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a pair of tickets to the event.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question: Who is the reigning PDC World Darts champion?

Send your answer, along with your name, address and daytime telephone number via email marked 'Hawcoat Darts Competition' to sport@nwemail.co.uk

Alternatively, you can submit your entry via post to: Hawcoat Darts Competition, Sports Desk, North-West Evening Mail, Newspaper House, Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 5QS.

All entries must be received by 4pm on Tuesday, December 6. The usual Evening Mail rules apply.