REIGNING European ladies darts champion Clare Bywaters is setting her sights on the coveted world No 1 spot after she was called up by her country for September's World Cup in France.

Bywaters, 30, who has been an England international since 2001, lifted the European Cup in Antwerp, Belgium, last year. She beat world No 2 Francisca Hoenselaar, of the Netherlands, ranked No 10 in the world.

Bywaters, who has been playing for the Shears ladies team in Wantage for the past 12 years, and who lives in Didcot, said: "It was absolutely amazing when I got called up. It's what every player dreams about - representing your country in the World Cup.

"I'm hoping to do the same as I did in the European Cup, but this time I'm going there to win the world title.

"There's no point in going there if you're just going to settle for second," said Bywaters, who has just returned from competing in Canada on the international darts circuit.

She faces a tough battle in France to wrestle the crown from current world champion and England teammate, Trina Gulliver.

Bywaters, though, would never have got the chance of World Cup glory had it not been for her mother, Marion.

She said: "I got into darts by accident, really. My mum's darts team needed another player because they were one short. She dragged me along, and that was it - I was hooked!

"Although mum has given up playing now, she still follows me with a keen interest."

Bywaters, who plays county darts for Warwickshire, comes from a sporting family - her dad Peter played for Wantage Town.

Now, the assistant financial controller has her sights firmly on another successful trip to Europe.