Rileys, the snooker and pool hall chain which has traditionally been more associated with the green baize than the oche, has signed up as the main sponsor of the Professional Darts Corporation's UK Open.

The sponsorship is intended to promote Rileys' new 'Darts Zones' which are being installed at its 120 clubs across the UK. By the end of the year 100 such zones are planned to be operational featuring  "top quality" dartboards and electronic scoring systems.

As such next month's tournament at Bolton's Reebok stadium will now be known as the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open.

Maurice Kelly, the chief executive of Rileys, said: "We're committed to investing in darts at grass roots and the professional level. The Rileys Darts Zones UK Open sponsorship gives us the perfect opportunity to do both."

Rileys can look forward to brand exposure through the tournament's broadcasting partner Sky Sports, which will be beaming out the event in high definition.