TWO darts teams, who were effectively thrown out of their pub, have been offered a new venue to hold their matches.

The Abbey Mead A and B teams were shocked to discover that their local planned to do away with the pub's dartboard following a £100,000 refurbishment.

As reported in the Adver, Marston's Inns and Taverns, which owns the Abbey Mead, did not explain why it was removing the dartboard, but claimed that the refurbishment was part of a plan to make the pub more family friendly.

As a result, both the A and B teams were told they could no longer play their matches at the venue just two games into the new season.

However, The Tawny Owl on Queen Elizabeth Drive has come to the rescue and will provide facilities for both teams' darts matches - with the A team having their first game this Friday against Stratton's British Legion.

Keith Wright, who is captain of the A team, who play in the Wiltshire Darts C League, said: "We are so thankful to the Tawny Owl and everyone who has given their support to us.

"The Advertiser has also been excellent, really spot on actually, so I thank you for getting involved.

"It's our hobby so we're pleased we can carry on competing."

Landlord of the Tawny Owl Richard Crickmar said: "We have two teams who play here and as Friday was free it made sense.

"They approached us wanting to play at the pub so that's how it came about.

"It is good to put something back into the local area. They are part of the community so we wanted to lend a hand.

"They will use our pub and we will provide food for them for every match they play."

Abbey Mead darts team are thinking of changing their name to the Tawny Owl, but this will have to be dealt with by the darts association.

The darts team had no shortage of offers to find a new home. Two other venues were willing to help out them out. Remo Polledri of Swindon Snooker Club and professional darts player Mark Thomson of Rodbourne Cheney Working Men's Club both offered their services.

The B team will be showing off their trophy this week after winning their league last season.

They have now been promoted to the Wiltshire Darts E League.