WORLD darts champion Gary Anderson was given a hero’s welcome to a civic ceremony in his honour this week.
The Burnham resident arrived at the town’s Princess Theatre to be greeted by dignitaries from the town council and local darts players on Saturday morning, following a glamorous limousine drive from his home.
Fans crowded outside the Princess Street theatre to welcome the PDC World Championship winner, who beat 16-time winner Phil Taylor 7-6 for his first world title in front of a record televised audience earlier this month.
Anderson, known as The Flying Scotsman, is known locally for previously re-opening the Wellington Arms in Rooksbridge, alongside his exploits in front of the dart board.
He scored a record 64 maximum 180s in his run to the title – smashing the previous best of 43, and lifting his ranking to third in the world.
Burnham and Highbridge mayor Martin Cox said: “We wanted to celebrate his great achievement and it was fantastic. He’s a really, really nice guy and he brought his family along with him too who were lovely.
“It was a very enjoyable morning – it’s one of the only weekends he has free for the rest of the year so we were lucky to get him. He’s incredibly gifted at the sport and speaking to the local darts players, they say he’s just on a different level.”
A plaque is now to be made in honour of Anderson’s achievement, and displayed in the town council chambers.
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