WHEN Mick Taylor took up darts five years ago, he didn’t think he would be good enough to even get in his local pub team.

But now five years on, the Burnley darter is on his way to the Lakeside – the spirtual home of darts.

The 40-year-old won a series of games to win the North West heat of the John Smith’s People’s Champion Darts competition which was held at King George’s Hall.

Now he will come up against the seven other regional winners at the Frimley Green venue in the new year.

And the two finalists will battled it out for the People’s Darts title ahead of the BDO World Darts final on January 11.

“If someone told me a few years ago that I was going to play at the Lakeside I would have laughed at them,” said Mick who plays for Rosegrove Unity. “I only took up playing darts seriously five years ago and back then I didn’t think I would even get in to my pub team.”

Mick was one of 80 darters who qualified for the North West finals at King George’s Hall – where he beat Darren Place from Blackburn in the final.

As winner, Mick also won £1,000 for his chosen charity, MacMillan Nurses.

The Burnley town team player reached the North West finals after winning a heat held at Stanley Street WMC club in Accrington – one of many held at pubs and clubs across the country.

Now he will receive some expert mentoring from Mark Webster, the current WBO champion.

“Apparently Mark is coming to the Stanley Street club to give me some tips which should be a bit of fun.”

Mick, who is being whisked off to the Winmore Word Masters at the weekend, is enjoying his 15 minutes of fame.

He said: “I quite like this bit of fame so hopefully the fortune should follow soon!”