WILTSHIRE county player Lee Evans has qualified for the UK Open after six gruelling qualifying events in Wigan over the last two weeks.

The 28-year-old, from Kempsford near Crickalde, collected his first £750 towards the PDC Order of Merit on the second day of action as he reached the last 32.

It was a run to the last 64 on the final day of action that secured Evans his place in Minehead next month, with a dominant 6-1 win over Thomas Hadjar steering him into the top 96.

The run would come to an end as 2018 world champion Rob Cross continued his imperious form in Wigan as he ran away a 6-4 winner.

Evans, who turned professional in 2015, reached the third round of the UK Open in his debut year after beating the experienced Ronny Huybrechts, but he would eventually bow out to Dutchman Vincent van der Voort.

After grinding out results for the past two weeks in Lancashire, Evans will now turn his attention to the Pro Tour next week in Barnsley.

The UK Open will now take place at Butlins, Minehead, between March 3-5, with Evans taking to the stage on the Friday afternoon.