When Phil Taylor begins his quest for an unprecedented ninth world darts crown at Purfleet tonight for once all the attention will not be focused on the man known as 'The Power'.

That is because at around 2.15pm on Friday the 2001 Skol World Championships will break with darts tradition by allowing a female on to the Circus Tavern stage.

Canadian Gayl King has accepted the PDC's invitation to take part in the tournament, and she admitted how proud she will be when she steps up to the oche to face Newcastle's Graeme Stoddart in the first round.

She said: ''I'm very proud and thrilled. It's fantastic. I hope that I can do well in the first round whether I win or lose.

''This definitely opens doors to other women. I take my hat off to the PDC because they are opening doors right now, which is good for women's darts.''

King is uncertain what to expect from world number 29 Stoddart but she is not short of confidence because she has plenty of experience of sharing the oche with men.

She added: ''I don't know much about him. The closer it gets to the tournament, the more confidence I have. My darts are going pretty good right now, and I feel like I can hopefully do something.

''I got into darts a long, long time ago. I don't even remember how but I picked them up and started playing and I've been playing both males and females.

''So it's nothing really new to me to play men because I play in a league in Edmonton where I play guys. I don't do too bad against them actually.''

Even so there will be no shortage of nerves for King as the build-up to her big day continues, and she is preparing to feel the weight of expectation.

''I am positive I am going to be really nervous. I just hope my darts are there and that I can do the job. It's a big weight because I'm going out there and playing for women and ladies' darts everywhere.

''If I can get my head around it and get over that part of it and just get up there and play my game I think I'll do okay.''

The focus on King will certainly be immense, but for the rest of the marksmen gathered in Purfleet for the annual arrow-flinging festival the competition is all about trying to loosen Taylor's stranglehold on the sport.

The eight-time world champion is his usual bullish self as he prepares for his first-round meeting with Nigel Justice the player he whitewashed in last year's second round on the way to his sixth consecutive world title.

He said: ''I am feeling really confident at the moment having scored a nine-dart finish against Alan Warriner in an exhibition. I believe I can do it again at the World Championships.''

Landing a perfect nine-darter would mean a £100,000 bonus for Taylor or any other player, whose more realistic aim will be the £33,000 first prize.

The only other player to have beaten Taylor at Purfleet is Dennis Priestley - who was beaten by Taylor in last year's final - and the Yorkshireman faces former BDO World Champion Keith Deller in a potential thriller of a first-round match tonight.

Priestley said: ''I am really looking forward to it. It is a tough opener. But we have played many times before, and I do not think I have ever lost to him on television.''

But Deller is also quietly confident about his chances of turning over the fifth seed.

He said: ''It is a tough opener for both Dennis and me, but I think that I have a good chance of winning. I am playing well and have missed Phil Taylor in the draw, so I think I have got a very good opportunity.''

Two other former world champions will also be gracing the Circus Tavern stage today when John Lowe takes on Garry Spedding and 'The Prince of Wales' Richie Burnett meets American Steve Brown.