Tributes to popular Burnley Wood darts player Dot Taylor

Mother-of-seven Mrs Dorothy O'Sullivan (nee Taylor) was well-known in the Burnley Wood area of town where she was the captain of the Brittannia pub darts team in Oxford Road.

Well respected around town, Dot, as she liked to be known, even once beat legendary darter Eric Bristow in a charity event she had organised at the Brittannia, where she was also a cleaner for many years.

Described by her son Mark as "a gem", she was an accomplished darter who was was featured many times in the Burnley Express over the years, representing Lancashire League Town team in the 1980s which saw her win the 'Silver Arrow' as well as serving as president of the Burnley Federation.

Well respected among fellow darters, she was made an honorary member of the Lancashire Darts Association in 1989.

Her son Mark Taylor said: "Mum was out of this world, an absolute gem. Going into town with my mum was a long affair because everybody would know her. Mum was a brilliant darets player and so many people will have so many happy memories of watching her play over the years. She was never out of the Burnley Express!

"Beating Eric Bristow was one particularly fond memory. Aside from darts, she was a lovely person who was well loved by so many people."

Born in Todmorden, Dorothy moved to Burnley Wood and lived there with her first husband Jimmy Mark Taylor. They had five children together before he died in 1964.

She went on to have two other children with her second partner John Sullivan who she did not marry until she was 80.

Sadly, Dorothy developed dementia and spent the final two years of her life at Heather Grange care home.

Her funeral will be held on February 6th when the cortege will pass the Brittannia and stay for a short while at 11-30am to allow people to pay their respects before a service at the crematorium at 12-15pm.