TheOche.com

BDO Media Release:

LAKESIDE COUNTRY CLUB has announced that it is extending its title sponsorship of the Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships to 2010.

This follows the recent announcement by Bob Potter, OBE, proprietor of Lakeside, that prize money for the 2008 Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships is being increased to a record-breaking available prize fund of ?310,000.

?2008 will be our 23rd year as hosts of the World Pro, and our fifth consecutive year as main title sponsors?, says Bob Potter,? and I am delighted that Lakeside is known around the globe as ?the home of world darts?.

?We are currently celebrating Lakeside?s 35th anniversary year, during which time we have played host to some of the world?s greatest show business stars. But no matter where I go, everyone instantly recognises Lakeside Country Club as the home of the greatest Championships in world darts.

?I am proud of that fact and also of the continued success of the World Championships, thanks to the British Darts Organisation, BBC TV, the players, and all those associated with bringing the very best in world darts to the public?.

BBC TV Sport has already extended its contract with the British Darts Organisation to continue its coverage of the World Professional until 2010. The World Pro has been screened annually by the BBC since 1978, making it the world?s longest established and most prestigious televised darts Championship.

Olly Croft, OBE, Managing Director of BDO Enterprises Ltd says: ?Bob and his partner Barbara Leitch are an integral part of the famous BDO ?family?, and we are delighted with their continued support of the World Pro.

?Lakeside is the undisputed home of a true World Championship that can boast all the history and kudos of our sport and its players. The extension to the contract will take Lakeside to its 25th anniversary year as hosts of the World Pro.?

The 2008 Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships will be staged by the British Darts Organisation and televised by BBC TV for nine consecutive days from January 5th to 13th, 2008.