EMPLOYEES at a Swindon truck manufacturer had the chance to hit the bullseye this week as they took on one of the darts world’s biggest names.

James Wade, currently ranked fourth in the Professional Darts Corporation ProTour Order of Merit, visited MAN Truck and Bus UK’s Frankland Road headquarters to launch his new one-year sponsorship deal with them.

And the darts supremo couldn’t resist taking on 22 lucky darts fans.

But to make it a fairer fight, James was given a handicap, allowing his challengers the perfect opportunity to hone their nine-dart check-outs.

Verity Cullom, marketing manager at MAN, said: “James had six darts and everybody else had nine. They wanted to see who could score the highest.

“Only six people managed to beat him. He was even challenging the girls in the restaurant.”

James, nicknamed the Machine due to a love of engines, treated workers on their lunch break to a nail-biting two-hour display – with the victors awarded a signed set of darts.

The company said that they targeted the top-flight player because of darts’ increased popularity in the UK. The 2015 PDC World Championship was the second most watched sporting event on Sky.

Verity said:“With our customers and with the trucking community there is a real popularity and interest in darts so we knew we wanted someone that would represent us as a brand.”

The winner of eight major titles will be supported by the firm as he aims for glory over the next year. Beady-eyed darts enthusiasts will also be able to spot the MAN logo on James’s shirt at future tournaments.

He will serve as the firm’s ambassador, making personal appearances at major trade events as part of the partnership, which will run to February 1 next year.

Verity said: “James is a former mechanic and has a real interest in engines so his sponsorship fits really well. He spent 40 minutes in our workshop looking over our latest product, so he was the perfect fit for us.”

Simon Elliott, managing director of MAN Truck and Bus UK, said: “We’re extremely excited to have partnered up with the best left-hander in the world of darts.

“It has been an amazing day. The staff have enjoyed rubbing shoulders with a top sporting star and James has been happy to mingle with the staff.”

James is one of the most successful players in the history of the PDC, winning the World Grand Prix and UK Open twice and triumphing in the Premier League, World Matchplay, The Masters and the Championship League.

The 31-year-old said: “I am over the moon to have the backing of such a well-respected brand. This deal couldn’t have happened at a better time.”