LANCASHIRE darts players came together last weekend to celebrate past achievements and look forward to the next GMC Super League season.

In an event held at The Carleton in Morecambe, divisional winners and runners-up were presented with their awards - with local men's teams, Burnley and East Lancs, featuring after gaining promotion from their respective leagues.

Despite none of the ladies' teams managing to secure promotion, all four local sides in Division One can be congratulated on an excellent season, in particular East Lancs who just fell short in third place.

Teams across the county were also invited to register for the 2002/3 season, and the overall response was outstanding. "The interest in darts in Lancashire never ceases to amaze me," said Super League secretary Danny Burns. "We've got the 64 teams required to compete again - many of which hail from the East Lancashire area which appears to be a real hotbed for amateur darts.

"I'm sure the East Lancs sides, as well as those from the rest of the county, will contribute to another top-quality season in the Super League."

Showing that darts in the region doesn't just stop with the amateurs, in the Embassy Gold Cup knockout also staged at the Carleton, Church professional Ronnie Baxter almost made it a dream double.

After an unlucky defeat by Alan Warriner in the singles final, Baxter, paired with Bolton's Paul Williams, came out 'tops' in the doubles thanks to a hard-fought victory over Mick Kenway and Jim McGriffiths.