YOUNG darts players in Torbay have the chance to be crowned the PDC Unicorn U21 world champion and pick up the £10,000 first prize.

Preliminary qualifying for the first-ever U21 World Championship will take place at Rileys Darts Zones — including Torquay's Higher Union Street club — on Saturday, October 23.

Fifty winners from Rileys clubs across the UK will join 14 of the best young players from around the world in a 64-man tournament at the Barnsley Metrodome on Saturday November 6.

Two winners will then go head-to-head in the final, which will be held at London's Alexandra Palace during the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship in front of a full house and live on Sky Sports.

The winner collects the £10,000 first prize. Players finishing in the last 16 share another £20,000 in the prize fund.

Both finalists will receive a wildcard for the Grand Slam of Darts professional tournament in November — where they could face reigning World champion Phil 'The Power' Taylor — and also an invitation to join the PDC Pro Tour in 2011 and 2012 as a full-time professional.

PDC chairman Barry Hearn added: "The U21 World Championship could be the first stepping stone for the next superstar of our sport, and we're very excited about the tournament.

"The Rileys qualifiers will give the chance for any young player with talent and ambition the chance to earn their spot in the last 64 in Barnsley. From there they can go on to live the dream."

The PDC Unicorn U21 World Championship is open to players aged between 16 and 21 on January 3 2011, who must have been born between January 4 1989 and January 3 1995.