SUPERSTAR darts players made a special appearance at a Blackburn pub to help raise money for two builders who were injured when they fell from some scaffolding.

The Clifton Arms raised hundreds of pounds at the event which saw regulars pitched against darts players Lisa Ashton, who is the women's world champion, Darryl Fitton, Wes Newton and Tony O'Shea.

More than 150 turned out to the Grimshaw Park pub to raise money for David Place and his colleague.

The pair were airlifted to hospital after some scaffolding they were working on collapsed in Higher Ramsgreave Road in Blackburn last month.

They have been struggling to earn a living since having been forced to take time off.

Pubgoers got to play doubles and singles matches with the professionals while a darts board signed by the four was auctioned off for £91. The total raised was £700.

Licensee Carole Davis, who regularly organises fundraisers, was recently given a Local Hero Award by radio station 2BR for turning The Clifton Arms into a thriving pub hub since she took over in 2005.

Ms Davis said: "When you’ve been injured and can no longer work, things can be really tough.

“The money raised in the darts evening has gone to a very worthwhile cause and it is testament to the pub’s community spirit that they’re able to pull together and support those in need.

"I firmly believe that charity begins at home and the spirit of the pub has shone through here."

Speaking of the award, she added: "My customers mean everything to me and we wouldn’t be able to survive without them so it is fantastic to be named their ‘community champion’.

"Community spirit is something we strive to create at the Clifton Arms, whether it be fundraising for a specific cause, helping locals or just offering someone a shoulder to cry on."

John York, business development manager for Admiral Taverns, said: “Carole is an extremely passionate and motivated licensee who takes looking after her community very seriously and has created some brilliant fundraising events to date.”