LINCOLNSHIRE darts secretary Julie Lambie played a huge part in bringing the BDO Ladies World Championship final to our television screens.

Lambie, from Market Rasen, teamed up with Luci Cunningham – the Sussex darts player – after it was announced that this year's ladies matches at the Lakeside would not be broadcast live.

However, within days, the outraged pair attracted the support of more than 2,600 people – including BDO professionals, Dean Winstanley and Chris Mason – forcing the sport's governing body to reverse their decision.

Lambie said: "There was so much support for our petition, from people across the world and professional darts players, both men and women.

"We thought we might get a few hundred, but within 48 hours we had reached 1,000 signatures.

"It just took off so quickly. We contacted several newspapers, some of the ladies spoke to radio stations and, eventually, it started to make waves at the BDO.

"It is phenomenal to think that our petition led to all this – the final was shown on the BBC red button, and all of that all down to the hard work we put in."

The televised Lakeside showpiece, in which Russian Anastasia Dobromyslova achieved her second world title by beating Deta Hedman by two sets to one, could prove vital in raising the profile of women's darts.

Dobromyslova has also enjoyed success against the men, beating Vincent van der Voort 5-4 in the 2011 Grand Slam of Darts.

Indeed, Lambie is hoping the success of her petition, and the final, will help to project the sport even further.

She said: "Women players have to work just as hard as the men, and it is good the BDO and television companies have now started to take notice – it's about time the final was shown, as we deserve to be on air, too. ESPN and the BBC red button option showed the final this year, which is obviously good, but we want to make sure that all five matches are shown live in the championship next year.

"We are also looking at hosting some special ladies events very soon.

"Hopefully, that will attract big-name sponsors and bigger prize money, because professional women do not get that much in comparison to the men.

"Women have to pay out to play for their county and national teams – ladies darts is sport, too."

In addition to her promotional work, Lambie features regularly for the Lincolnshire County Darts Organisation team.

Unheralded Dutchman Christian Kist secured his first BDO World title as he saw off favourite Tony O'Shea 7-5 at Frimley Green.

The 25-year-old, who is a road worker by trade, had to qualify for the tournament via a play-off but has not looked back since, and followed up his semi-final win over Ted Hankey with another notable scalp.