PLANS are well underway for the 180 Appeal's fundraising darts competition.

The Somerset County Gazette is marking its 180th anniversary by launching a fundraising campaign in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice in a bid to raise £180,000.

As part of the campaign, the Gazette and its sister weekly titles are teaming up to host a county-wide darts competition.

There are a hosts of events taking place, in Taunton and across the county. All Saints Bar will host a qualifying round on Friday, July 8, and the Trinity Bar Club will also host a qualifying round on a date to be confirmed.

The qualifying rounds kick off on Monday, July 4, at Spenny’s Bar in Bridgwater, at the Royal Oak in Ilminster on July 5 and at Wellington Arms in Axbridge on Wednesday, July 6.

It costs just £5 to enter, with all proceeds going to the hospice.

There will also be a host of other mini-competitions people can enter, for a nominal fee.

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The competition will be a best-of-five (depending on the numbers of participants) knockout competition, with the top four all qualifying for the finals contest later in July.

The Gazette’s Lee Irving, who is organising the event, urged local darts enthusiasts to get involved, adding: “Darts is renowned for being a fun and lively sport and we couldn't think of a better competition for our fundraising drive.

“St Margaret’s Hospice is a brilliant charity that does so much for people in their hour of need, so if we can reach our target of £180,000 we would be delighted It is sure to be a great event at Royal Oak in Ilminster, and I am hoping a lot of local ‘arras fans will come and take part in the competition.”