ASPIRING professional darts player Simon Hartley is desperately looking for sponsorship so he can attend the next Las Vegas Open Darts tournament.

Simon, 19, is a former Dene Magna pupil and has already reached the quarter finals in the World Championships, but he needs to raise £1,000 to play in Vegas.

He is captain of the county team and says he wants to encourage more young people to take up the sport.

When he was at school he tried to persuade staff to let him play darts during PE lessons, but says at that time it did not qualify as a sport.

Simon said: "There are lots more kids starting to play than there used to be. In Holland they teach kids to play darts at school in their PE lessons."

Simon is delighted that younger members like his friend Jon Smith, 16 of Lydney have taken up the game.

Jon took up darts a year ago and has recently been promoted to county level after 12 months playing for his home town.

Simon's next match is the British Open at Brean Sands on June 13. He won this competition when he was just 13 years-old and two years ago was knocked out in the quarter final.

"I have won the last six man of the matches in a row and I don't get nervous any more when I play on big stages.

"I would like to play professionally and I have beaten a few pros at exhibitions. I beat the ex women's world champion Trina Gulliver."

Trina won seven World Championships and four World Masters competitions.

"I would like to thank all my sponsors so far, the Cross Keys in Lydney, Body Blitz in Lydnet, DJ Autos and Richard Harrabin of Portskewett."

Simon needs to get over £1,000 in sponsorship to compete in Las Vegas and asks for anyone who may be able to help to contact him on 07779 480847.