THREE-TIME World Championship finalist Peter “One Dart” Manley will attend the first York Darts Open Championship grand finals night.

The competition, organised by the newly-formed York Darts Promotions, will reach its conclusion on Saturday, August 20, at Huntington WMC, with former Premier League star Manley holding a darts exhibition and making presentations.

Streamline Taxis of York have agreed a £1,000 deal to become sponsors of the tournament, which is expected to offer bigger cash prizes than any darts event ever held in the city.

The overall winner will receive £750 in prize money while those who emerge triumphant from the eight qualifying stages, which will determine the top 32-ranked players to take their places on grand finals night, will also win £300.

All quarter-finalists, semi-finalists and runners-up will receive money too at each of the eight qualifying rounds, which will start on Saturday. May 21.

In return for their four-figure donation, Streamline will also sponsor the two York ladies’ darts competitions and the York Open Youth tournament that YDP are planning.

Other events confirmed include the York Champion of Champions grand finals on Friday, September 2, which will be open to players registered to York darts leagues, with men’s, ladies’ and mixed pairs categories.

Saturday, October 1, meanwhile, will see a £1,000 first prize contested in the Four Person Team competitions, with entrants needing to have at least one male and female and a maximum of one county or PDC circuit player.

There will also be a Help The Heroes Charity Doubles Board competition at Huntington WMC on Friday, November 11, with a £100 first prize and £50 for the fastest leg below 18 darts.

Finally, on Saturday, December 10, the YDP Darts Pentathlon – which will probably include games of 501, 1001, 2001, Round the Clock, Shanghai and Halve It – is open to 32 players with the winner receiving £1,000.

YDP are hoping their competitions will attract some of the country’s top players to York.

They also intend to hold corporate days and work within schools while looking to improve youth development in the sport.

Various pubs, clubs and hotels can get involved as well by staging contests.

Talking about his company’s involvement, Mark Wilson, of Streamline Taxis, said: “We’ve never been involved with an event like this and look forward to our connection with YDP and these tournaments.”

Several sponsors have also stepped forward already with Winmau being the dartboard suppliers after agreeing a one-year deal.

Red Dragon are the body’s associate sponsor while Ellis Patents, Mobile Motors, Barker Travel (Mini Bus Hire), Huntington Property Services, The Melbourne Pub and The Castle Howard Ox Pub have all agreed to board sponsorship.

Anybody interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact Neil Hart by emailing neilhartydp@hotmail.co.uk or phoning 07921 128063.