SIR: I refer to an article in your paper on January 9 written by Simon Topliss commenting on the game of darts being the same as blood sports ie: throwing spears at woolly mammoths.

He wants to get his facts rights. The game of darts was actually started as a self defence for archers throwing small arrows when attacked. Millions of people play darts in this country from a simple game with friends right up to world championship.

I used to play darts myself and I am 100 per cent against blood sports and unnecessary hunting. I think he should apologise to the millions of people he's insulted.

It's true many sports have barbaric beginnings. Football was started, so its believed, by kicking severed heads round a field. So if Simon makes comments like this then change the name of his column to SIMPLE SIMON.

S Rock

Horwich

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