GARY Anderson became only the fourth player in history to retain the World Darts Championship title at Alexandra Palace tonight (Sunday).

The Flying Scotsman, who lives in Burnham with his partner Rachel, was pushed all the way by world number five Adrian Lewis, eventually running out 7-5 victor in a spectacular final.

The match included 34 180s, the highest ever recorded in a PDC match, and Anderson looked to be on his way to glory as he took a 6-4 lead to close within a set of the title.

Despite Lewis taking the 11th set 3-0, 45-year-old Anderson recovered to see out the penultimate leg with an astounding 170 finish, before a double 12 finish sealed his second world championship title, and a £300,000 prize pot.

Anderson said: “It was a scrape from the word go. There were some good darts, and there were some really bad ones. I’m getting old though, and I’ll take the scrapes.

“The way I’ve played and how Adrian has played, it never really happened tonight. But I’m delighted and I’ll be back to give it another shot next year.”

*For the full story on Gary’s victory, see this Thursday’s Weston Mercury, priced just 90p.