£7000 prize money on offer with return of Wick's Friends of the Glass darts competition
Wick will host a festival of darts this weekend with the return of the Friends of the Glass after being on hold for three years.
Darts players from across the north will travel to the Seaforth Highlanders' Club to take part in three days of competition with £7000 prize money available to the top players.
It is one of the longest-running darts events in Scotland, having been established in the 1970s. It was known as the Caithness Glass before being rebranded a few years ago.
MM Miller and the Seaforth club are the main sponsors, with a number of other businesses also contributing to the prize fund. The competition is being organised by Arthur Bruce, Malcolm Begg, Liz Ronaldson and Claire Thain.
Bruce says the Friends of the Glass has a reputation of being one of the major darts events in the Highlands and they are pleased to be bringing it back to the sporting calendar.
"We don't know how many players will be taking part as everyone enters on the day, but we are expecting a good turnout," he said.
"Players from as far afield as Elgin and Orkney, as well as in between, including Inverness, will be taking part during the weekend.
"It is good for the club and it is good for the town. A lot of people stay over the weekend at hotels and at bed-and-breakfasts, as well as visiting the shops and spending money.
"It was last held three years ago, which was a big success, and we heard people from further afield wanted to take part. However, due to Covid, we have been unable to stage the event again until this year.
"It is always good to hold the event during the May Day weekend."
The event kicks off tonight with an out-of-the-hat mixed triples darts competition at 7.30pm, with the winners receiving £450 and £300 to the runners-up.
Tomorrow is the main event, with the pairs competition starting at 12.30pm with £1000 going to the winners, £400 to the runners-up and £250 to the semi-finalists.
Sunday is the final day of the three-day event with the singles competition which takes a doubles start format, with the winner receiving £400 and £200 to the runner-up.