Edwards is setting his sights on a best-ever display at the PDC UK Open

The Brightlingsea Essex Men's Superleague player has qualified for the prestigious event, which features the cream of the darts world and takes place next month in Minehead.

It will be his third appearance at the tournament - having been eliminated at the first hurdle on his two previous visits, in 2011 and 2014.

However, this time around he hopes to go further.

"I was over the moon to qualify again," said the 44-year-old, who lives in Great Bentley.

"I haven't managed to get past the first round before but this year I'm playing better than ever and hope to progress further.

"The draw is done after the professionals finish their qualifiers, which is next weekend.

"I'll probably be a little nervous but know what to expect and, if I play like I can, I'm quietly confident.

"I hope to get to the third round, at least."

Edwards plays in the same Brightlingsea team as former world number one Colin Lloyd and sometimes practices with 2004 PDC World Championship runner-up Kevin Painter, who he has known from when they both lived in Tiptree.

"I've been playing darts for about 25 years once hit a nine-dart finish in the Essex Superleague," said Edwards, a coachbuilder for A Smith Great Bentley, in Frating.

"This is a big highlight in my career, though, and I was really chuffed to qualify.

"Rileys hold various amateur qualifiers throughout their clubs.

"Thirty-two amateurs can qualify and are put in the draw against 96 professionals.

"I went to the Norwich qualifier on January 28 and won through a field of 130 players."

The UK Open is known as the "FA Cup of darts", because of the wide mix of players of differing experience.

There are no seedings, which means the top players can be drawn against each other at any stage.

Just like the FA Cup, a random draw takes place after each round to determine the matches for the next round.

This year's event will again be screened live on ITV4.