THE giants of world darts descend on the Reebok Stadium this weekend, looking to toe-the-oche for the Budweiser UK Open Title and a £30,000 grand prize.

Phil "The Power" Taylor, Kevin "The Artist" Painter and Wayne "Hawaii 501" Mardle will be among the larger than life figures on show, for an event which has been dubbed the 'FA Cup' of darts.

The competition, which begins on Friday night, pits the finest players in the world alongside regional qualifiers from all over the UK.

More than 150 players, including Bolton's own Paul Williams and Steve Coote will be among those looking to grab the limelight, and one of the sport's most prestigious prizes.

Legendary 12-time world champion Taylor is hot favourite to lift the title, having hit a perfect nine-dart 501 in last year's event, only to go out to Canadian John Part.

Regarded as the finest darts player of all time, Taylor is keen to recapture the trophy he lost to Dutchman Rolan Scholten last year.

He said: "I can't wait to get started," said Taylor. "Not winning the trophy last year has made me hungry, and we all want to take the trophy from Roland."

The highest-ranked homegrown hope is Smithills' Paul Williams, who reached the semi-finals of the competition two years ago.

Williams, aged 40, is quietly confident about his chances, despite being given a tough route to the later rounds.

He said: "Last year was disappointing, so obviously I'm looking to hit the kind of form I did two years ago.

"The UK Open is a very different type of tournament than a lot of people are used to because there are so many games going on at once.

"I have put a lot of practice in, but at the end of the day it is how you handle yourself on the night.

"The home support definitely helps. This will be the third time I have played at the Reebok, and once the fans get behind you, it is something special.

"The atmosphere is great, and it's like having a fourth dart."

Williams will face the winner of Kelvin Painter and Graham Stoddart in the third round on Saturday before possibly moving on to face Chris Mason, and world number one Colin Lloyd.

Coote, a fireman from Farnworth, is a relative newcomer to the UK Open, but after a fine show in the Las Vegas Classic earlier this year, he is confident of making the latter stages.

He said: "I'd never be happy losing at any time, and I think that if I get my game right I'd be a match for anyone.

"Basically, all anyone has got to do is match (Phil) Taylor, because the guy has not won 12 world titles for nothing.

"I faced him in Las Vegas and gave him a good game, and I think I have improved since then."

Coote faces Eddie Lovely on Saturday before facing the extravagant Mardle in round four.