Tipton darter grabs a spot at PDC UK Open

Tipton's Ian Jones is going to 'the FA Cup of Darts' after winning a spot at the PDC's televised UK Open next month through a qualifier in Wolverhampton.

The former West Midlands county and BDO player, a shed-maker by day, battled through Sunday's field of 72 entrants at Rileys Sports Bar, on Broad Street.

He wins a place at the ITV4 screened finals, made up of the top 96 in the UK Open Order of Merit, played between the professionals, and 32 regional qualifiers.

Butlins in Minehead are staging the event for the first time this year and 'Whippet' could go on to play the likes of Phil Taylor or world champion Michael van Gerwen.

Jones was one of four board winners alongside fellow Tipton darter Jason Lowe and Wolverhampton duo Dean Stewart and Mark Zambra that lined up for the semi-final.

The two Tiptonites made it through to the final but it was Jones who prevailed by beating Lowe 4-1, to become one of the 32 'wild cards' that will be looking to upset the odds.

A second and final qualifier, open to all PDPA members and costing £5 to enter, will be held in Wolverhampton for another UK Open spot at Rileys on February 22.