HAMPSHIRE darts marksman Andy Jenkins has moved up into the top ten in the world rankings - and promised his support for the forthcoming Hampshire Open.

The Cosham bricklayer was pipped at the post in a star-studded battle on the oche last week by Wayne Mardle. But the result pushes Jenkins up into ninth in the Professional Darts Corporation rankings and he wants to climb even higher.

Phil Taylor, John Part and Mardle are out on their own at one, two and three but Jenkins is within striking distance of several other class players.

"It's good to get into the top ten but I don't just want to stay there. There are a few of us close together on points so I can go higher," said Jenkins, who lost out to Mardle in the UK Open regional final last weekend.

"It's a shame because I was playing well and should have beaten him," added Jenkins.

Jenkins competes on the Isle of Man next weekend and in Holland a week later but has already put in his entry for the Hampshire Open.

"I played in the first one four years ago and lost out in the semi-finals so I will be pleased to come up and win some money!" added Jenkins. "It will be a good day. I've missed out for the last few years because I was playing in Canada."

Jenkins will have some tough opposition, however, with best mate and defending champion Colin Monk vowing to keep his title and Embassy regular Paul Hogan already in the line-up.

Monk, twice an Embassy semi-finalist, has just made the move from the British Darts Organisation to the PDC, where he will be reunited with Jenkins who switched codes three years ago.

"It's good to be with Colin again because we are good mates.

"He has to start moving up the rankings now and it will be tough but he is capable of doing it.

"He will have to rely on the qualifiers to get into the televised tournaments and he should do OK in a few."

The Hampshire Open takes place at Southampton's Novotel on May 8 and is on schedule to attract the 450 maximum field that has made it the biggest county open in the country in just four years.

"The entries are beginning to come in thick and fast," said Hampshire Darts Organisation spokesman Frank Branscombe.

"Once again, I'm pleased to say, it will be a mixed bag with men, women, teenagers, pensioners, pub players and stars from the television taking part," he added.