BEWDLEY darts player Luke 'Woody' Woodhouse has set his sights on moving up the rankings of the PDC.

The 23-year-old has made a promising start since becoming a professional arrowsman at the start of the year.

He's currently 116th in the Pro Tour Order of merit and has begun to make a name for himself.

In his last tournament in Coventry, Woody defeated two top 32 players, when he saw off Wes Newton (6-3) and Jamie Caven (6-4) and also pushed the world number six James Wade all the way in a high quality match before eventually losing 6-4.

Woodhouse, who works for Department for Work and Pensions, said: "It is difficult but the rewards are good if you do well.

"I have had a few tough draws in the opening weekends but it's good to be playing the top players.

"I've played Michael van Gerwen three times and Jamie Caven, who is a top 20 player.

"It is valuable experience because you see what these guys are doing and you know what you have to do get up to that level consistently."

Woodhouse has been playing darts since 18 and has been a regular of Waggon and Horses team, which play in the Bewdley Darts League.

He spends up to three hours each night practising.

"If I could break into the top 64 in a year, that would be unbelievable but I want to get as high as possible," added Woodhouse.

He is also represented by newly-formed management team Darting Promotions, started by Mark Pritchard, which wants to find top young West Midlands talent and turn them into professionals.

Pritchard said: "I went over to Bewdley to play in a tournament and Luke was recommended to me.

"I watched him play there and at qualifying school in January in Wigan and as soon as that was over, I decided to give it a go.

"That's when Darting Promotions started, to try and give more players a chance of doing it as well."