DARTS legend Martin ‘Wolfie’ Adams will help raise money for a village church which has been blighted by thieves.

Friends of Newton Church were left devastated after lead was stolen from the building’s roof twice during the past year. The group - who had been raising money to build a kitchen and disabled toilet inside the church - were forced to dip into the fund to repair the damage.

However, despite being around �8,000 short of their fundraising target, the group has vowed to continue raising money.

The BDO World Champion’s appearance at a sponsored darts exhibition at Tydd St Giles Community Centre is set to provide a major boost to their efforts.

Sandy Watts, a member of the friends of the church group, said: “The church is very dear to me because my mother’s buried there and it’s where I wanted to be buried when I die.

“It’s been sickening that our fundraising money has had to be diverted because of the thefts. We’re desperate to bring Newton together again as a community and we can’t hold events at the church at the moment - especially in the winter.

“We’ve very thankful for Martin for giving his time to help us and we hope his presence gives our push a big boost.”

Entry for adults will cost �5 at the event on July 27 with doors opening at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Children under the age of 11 can get in free with a paying adult.

Darts players can enter a �1 raffle on the night for a chance to play against the England captain on the oche. Food and an alcohol will be served and players will receive a signed certificate from the darts icon before the dartboard from the night is auctioned off.

The group hope to hold a number of events - including a monthly bingo night and a country and western event in December - to raise further funds.