AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Rowley Regis darts player is set to compete in an upcoming tournament - thanks to sponsorship from kind-hearted local businesses.

Alfie 'the Pug' Betts will compete in the Junior Darts Corporation (JDC) GreenZone tour, which kicks off later this month and will see Alfie travel around England and to Wales and Ireland.

The talented year three pupil at Olive Hill Primary has been sponsored by Moores fruit and veg on Dudley Market, Sameday transport services, KWB commercial property specialists and Oakham construction and landscaping services ltd, with the firms covering the costs of his entry fees and travel.

People can follow Alfie's progress on the tour at his Twitter page @PugBetts

Alfie's proud dad Shaun Betts said: "This tour is the junior version of the JDC tour that has had past winners such as Leighton Bennett and Keane Barry (both world youth champions)

"The tour involves Alfie playing against other youngsters between eight and 18 all around the country in 2020 as well as competing in Wales and in Dublin in June.

"Thanks to the local businesses my son now has the opportunity to experience all of these and help him develop greatly.

"It shows great community spirit is still around in our area.

"Thanks to them all entry fees and the cost of travel etc has now been raised."

Alfie's first match will be Saturday March 28 in Derby - he will then go on to play in Blackburn and Dublin in June and Neath in Wales in October.

The final is at Allen's bar in Tipton in December.

Alfie attends the West Midlands Darts Academy based at Allen's Bar in Tipton and regularly has mentoring from the professionals Jamie Hughes, Scott Baker and Luke Woodhouse who are ambassadors for the club.

It is run by volunteers, led by Martyn Harper, who won a national award last year for his efforts.