HUNDREDS of hopefuls will be toeing the oche at Southampton's Novotel in June for this year's popular Daily Echo Hampshire Open.

Big names from the world of darts are again likely to be attracted to the country's top one-day open along with county, super league and pub and club players.

The competition is later in the year than usual - prompting rumours that it was not going to be staged.

But Hampshire Darts Organisation spokesman Frank Branscombe is again busy making plans for the top contest.

He said: "When you put on something like this you have to take plenty of other things into account.

"We need to be aware what other opens are on around that time and see what BDO and PDC players are doing as well.

"That is why it is a little later this year than before but one thing is for sure - we will not be short of numbers.

"It has become hugely popular in the short time that it has been running and we are proud to put it on."

Somerset's Neil Raikes has promised to return to defend his title after beating Kent's rising star Kirk Shepherd in the final in 2006.

Other winners of the title and £1,000 winner's prize since 2000 are Dorset's Paul Carter, England's Ronnie Baxter, BDO World Championship regular Paul Hogan. experienced ex-international Colin Monk, 1997 world champion Les Wallace and PDC player Mark Thomson.

See today's Daily Echo for an application form.