A PUB has been banned from a darts league after women players complained of having to throw from the entrance to the gents’.

The historic Stour Inn’s darts board and oche have always been positioned directly in front of the men's lavatory due to a lack of space.

And the 16th century pub’s low ceiling sometimes forces players to drop to their knees when aiming for the top of the board so their darts don't hit the roof.

Landlord Lance Ferguson refused to move the board so league officials have banned the pub.

Darts player Michaela Brewer, 19, said: “I have played at the Stour Inn and it really isn't very nice.

“You have to stand right in the way of the men’s toilets, which don’t smell very nice and have to put up with men coming in and out all the time saying ‘Excuse me, can I get past?’ when you are trying to play. There is constant background noise of people pulling the flush which is off-putting.

“Although there is a partitioning door, when they walk through, it swings open and you can see right in.”

About 20 teams play in the Wednesday night Blandford and District Darts League.

League secretary Kevin Milne said: “There are a number of issues with the pub such as the proximity of the gents’ toilets and the low ceiling. Players who give their darts more height by floating them in an arc trajectory sometimes have to kneel on the floor to hit double 20 otherwise they hit the ceiling.

“The oche area is also so cramped that often people have to stand outside on the pavement and peer in through the window to watch a game.

“More women are playing darts nowadays. The position of the board may have been acceptable in the past but that doesn't mean it is today.

“The Stour pub isn't prepared to do anything about it and so it is with regret that they have been excluded from the league.”