THREE Towns darts ace Andy "X Factor" Boulton has regained his place in the sport's top tour.

The Staffordshire native, who lives in Ardrossan last week won his PDC Tour Card for two years.

He successfully came through Q School and is now looking forward to renewing rivalries with the top players in the game throughout the coming season.

Andy, who is ranked 116 in the PDC, finished sixth in the Order of Merit last season with 11 points.

Three years ago he reached the last 64 of the PDC World Championships, only to lose out to fellow Scot Gary Anderson.

The 45-year-old is excited about the challenges ahead and said: "It was good in a way last year that I competed in other events as it meant that the pressure was off fora while. But I'm delighted to be back in the PDC and my aim will be to break through in to the Top 64 and become established there as it would mean I didn't have to keep trying to qualify every year."

Andy enjoys being involved in the tour and added: "There are some top players on the tour and I know Gary Anderson well and there are other talented players on the tour, including Nathan Aspinall from Stockport.

His next tournament will be the Players' Championship in Wigan on February 9. This will feature a strong field, including the top players in the game.