Shaun Lovett from Dagenham has been a big hit on the darts scene

Teenager Shaun Lovett is making waves around Essex as he looks to shape a professional darts career, but fears his progress could be stunted by a lack of sponsorship.

The 15-year-old from Dagenham, nicknamed ‘The Magician’, plays competitively five nights a week, representing three different pub teams – Rush Green, Dagenham Community Club and Barking – as well as his county in an Adult Super League.

Since taking up the sport at the age of 11, Lovett has enjoyed great success including winning the runners-up trophy in last year’s Essex Open.

But mum Sharon fears her son’s chances of breaking through to compete on the national stage could be hindered by a lack of money.

“Shaun has great potential to go further, but he could do with better darts and some help with the cost of travelling around Essex to compete,” she said.

“He plays against adults and some get a bit worried. You hear them say ‘oh no, I’ve got the young kid’.

“If he puts his mind to it he’ll beat them. Generally though, they can all see what a good kid he is and they give him encouragement. He’s got genuine talent.”

Lovett’s six-week summer break from Sydney Russell School comes to an end this week.

But while his classmates have no doubt enjoyed hours in front of their Playstations, Lovett has obtained a job as a plumber’s mate – desperate to earn some money to help cover the cost of his passion.

“The bank account’s running dry!” mum Sharon added. “It would be great to have a sponsor, because he really could go far.”