KENT'S John Ferrell is putting together the final preparations for probably the biggest darts match of his life when he meets number six seed Bob Taylor in the first round of the Embassy BDO World Darts Championships tonight.

The unseeded Strood man, who has never played in the Lakeside championships before, is looking forward to taking on the Scottish International and hopes the amount of practice he has put in will pay dividends. He said: "I've been practicing every night for the past few weeks doing about four hours at a time, which is a lot different from normal. I've really hammered it.

"I'm looking forward to the championships and particularly playing in front of a sell-out crowd. Hopefully I can get through the first round."

The 40-year-old courier wants to set up his own business but realises to achieve his dream he needs to have a good run in the tournament, which carries a £50,000 first prize.

Ferrell, nicknamed The Joker, is scheduled to meet Taylor as the second match tonight, two games before another Kent man Matt Clark plays third seed Marko Pusa.

Clark, who lives in Sevenoaks, and Ferrell have been practicing together for the past few weeks, something the latter feels can benefit both of them.

He maintained: "When you're playing against the best players in the world at the Embassy championships it can only help. It has done me the power of good."