WHEN Gordon Foster stepped up to the dart board in his local pub, he found himself struck by Cupid's arrow after someone inadvertently walked across his line of fire.

As he turned to give the woman a telling-off, his anger disappeared, and his complaint was quickly transformed into a more pleasant conversation.

Two years later, they were married, and even held their wedding reception in the pub.

This week, 17 years after that first meeting, Gordon and his wife Sandra are taking over the pub in Willington, County Durham. The owner, Pubmaster, had advertised for a new landlord and landlady for the Burn Inn, in Westend Terrace, and the couple thought it a fitting choice of career.

Sandra said: "I didn't realise he was throwing darts at the time, until he came over."

Gordon said: "Running a pub is something we have always wanted to do.

"My parents used to run pubs, and Sandra has worked behind the bar of various pubs.

"I still play darts for The Burn Inn team, and when we heard from Pubmaster that new landlords were required it was an ideal opportunity."

The couple are planning to continue holding games such as darts, dominoes and pool in the pub - perhaps with a mind to forging other relationships in the mould of their own - as well as holding meetings of the local golf society and cricket club.

Ann Maddison, regional manager of Pubmaster, said: "Sandra and Gordon have a long history with the pub.

"With their commitment and Pubmaster's support, they are sure to make a great success of it."