SCARBOROUGH'S darts ace Dan Timmins is getting the practice in ahead of next month's Blue Square Open in Preston.

Timmins has been drawn against fellow qualifier Andy Callary in the first round, with journeyman John Ferrell awaiting him at the next hurdle.

A move past both players could earn the 27-year-old Westover ace a £1,000 payday and a chance to challenge the game's big boys.

This is the main aim for Timmins, but the chance to play in the competition will be bonus enough for the Scarborough dustman.

He said: "The first round game will be a 50-50 one really because we are both qualifiers. The next one may be a problem because he has been around for a few years.

"It could have been much worse though. The likes of former world champion Dennis Priestley are in the first round as well, so that would have been a little more difficult.

"I'm just hoping for the best though. It would be nice to get through a couple of rounds as the top 32 in the world come in then, you could play against people like Phil Taylor.

"I played him a couple of months ago in and friendly and didn't do too bad. When he finished the leg I was on 91, which is good when you are playing him.

"I'm just going to get the practice in. I'll be setting up a dartboard in the back yard so i can get a bit of the sun at the same time."

The whole tournament is being broadcast live on Sky Sports, which will be a new experience for Dan. But he has also been practicing on the cameras to ease his nerves.

He added: "Sky have been round to film me in my job and while I have been practicing, which was a new experience.

"I'm hoping that because they did that, I might be televised live in a match or two. It will be a bit nerve-wracking, but the other players will have to contend with it as well."