There is something about darts which brings out the crowds.

Watch any footage of the world championships on TV and you will see hundreds of spectators sprawled across the arena floor, drinking beer and squinting at the board in the far-off distance.

But of course watching the admittedly quite dramatic matches unfold is only part of the fun for most who go along.

The social side of it, the dressing up too, is why darts is so hugely popular.

Whether you think it is a sport or not, it is undeniable that watching world class darts in a massive arena is pretty thrilling.

And that was exactly what the masses of spectators who turned up the Brighton Centre on Thursday to watch the latest leg of the Premier League Darts tour found out.

The Whyte & Mackay Premier League is a nationwide competition, held between February and May at different venues every week.

Televised by Sky Sports, it attracts a respectable worldwide audience along with the very best players in the world.

Part of the attraction for those taking part is the £100,000 first prize. But you also get the sense there is also a big fun element for them too.

Dutch ace Raymond Van Barneveld told The Argus: "There is nothing quite like playing in front of the huge crowds we get. It's sensational.

"Yes there's a big prize fund but we are all doing something we love. It's a great competition."

The Argus was invited to get exclusive access inside the Sky Sports commentary box to sit alongside darts legend Sid Waddell.

His explosive commentary of the matches was something you have to experience to believe.

Speaking after the second match, in which Wayne Mardle defeated five times world champion, Barneveld, Waddell said: "Brighton is a perfect venue for it.

"The arena is the perfect size; you strike the right balance between having a decent noisy crowd and it not turning into something too big.

"The matches we've had have been superb - you can't really ask for anything better than what we've seen so far."

Waddell is well known for his inventive style. His best line on the night was a toss up between "Barneveld usually has the complexion of an Edam skin, but tonight he looks like Leerdammer", or "He's got the body language of a dying jelly fish being washed up on Brighton beach".

The Argus was also invited inside Sky Sports' production truck to see the live programme being made.

Inside the chaotic and cramped van, which features 60 screens and is manned by 12 staff, the entire production from start to finish is put together.

But it is the fans who have come to see the darts who really count.

Jim Taylor, 32, from Upper Shoreham Road, Shoreham, said: "It's been a great atmosphere and a great night.

"The darts have been superb and the play of the highest quality.

"They put on a show. It is an exhibition. But at the end of the day we're talking about world class players here."

Another fan, Gemma Tobin, 23, from Brighton added: "I don't really know that much about darts at all but I'm here with my boyfriend and all his mates and I have to admit it is exciting.

"There's a lot of razzmatazz and atmosphere. It must be amazing to be one of the players. I don't know how they manage to concentrate with all the racket going on."

The programme is aired around the globe and darts is said to attract a TV growing audience.

Certainly in Britain the Premier League Darts competition fills arenas across the country and after Brighton moves on to the Birmingham NIA before heading even further north to Aberdeen.

Since the competition was launched in 2005, Phil "The Power" Taylor has won every year.

The Englishman has been unbeatable in other competitions too and is largely recognised as the best in the world.

For the Brighton Centre crowd though it may not have mattered if Taylor won or not.

It was all about getting the beers in and lapping up all four matches.

A strong Dutch contingent was present too, supporting Barneveld.

At least one Dutch fan had followed him around the country to watch every game of the Premier League this season.

Andries Petrus, 45, from Eindhoven, said: "Barney is still the best in the world.

"The Dutch are always up for a good time and we follow him all over the place to support him.

"I think it must be in our blood - having a few beers and watching the matches is the perfect combination."

* Sky Sports is screening the darts Premier League exclusively live every Thursday night.

See a video report of the event at theargus.co.uk/videos Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts, Brighton Centre Adrian Lewis (Eng) bt Terry Jenkins (Eng) 8-3, Wayne Mardle (Eng) bt Raymond van Barneveld (Ned) 8-5, John Part (Can) bt Peter Manley (Eng) 8-5, Phil Taylor (Eng) bt James Wade (Eng) 8-4