LOCAL professional Ryan Searle has been knocked out of the World Grand Prix darts tournament being staged at Leicester.

Searle, who began playing darts in the Wellington League more than 20 years ago, was beaten by one of the favourites, Dutchman Gian van Veen 3-2 last night (Thurs), after leading 2-1.

It means van Veen goes into tonight’s quarter-finals guaranteed £35,000 in prizemoney.

Searle, who paid the penalty for hitting a number of ones during his match, collected £20,000 for reaching the second round.