PDC World Darts finalist Kirk Shepherd will be making a personal appearance at The Haywain Public House in Bramling near Canterbury on Friday March 7.

Publican Kevin Costello says the sport has taken off there since they watched 500-1 outsider Shepherd reach the final at Alexandra Palace in January, before losing to Canadian John Part.

He said: “We didn’t have a dart board in the pub, but now run our own mini-league involving our regulars."

Shepherd’s success, has seen him win a new three year deals with Edenbridge based Unicorn Darts and Peter Woolford Taverns, and a 12 month contract with Totesport.

Father and manager Keith said: “We are still looking for one major sponsor, but it has got to be the right sort of money.”

Kirk competes in the Blue Square Regional and Southern Regional finals in Brentwood this week.

He faces a busy schedule, with a 13-night exhibition trip to Japan in May, as well as bookings in the United States and Spain.