CHAMPION Michael Smith and fellow St Helens darter Stephen Bunting are both in action at Alexandra Palace this evening in the last 16 of the World Darts Championships.

Bunting produced a scintillating display to thrash Germany's Florian Hempel in straight sets in yesterday's Round 3.

Bunting - who averaged 107.28 in his opening round win over Ryan Joyce - stormed into a two-set lead with a monstrous 112 average, despite a magnificent 164 from Hempel in the opening stanza.

The former Lakeside Champion maintained his clinical finishing in the latter stages, wrapping up victory with a 101 average to set up a mouth-watering last 16 tie against Michael van Gerwen.

The fourth round will also get underway during a star-studded evening session, as reigning champion Smith faces Masters champion Chris Dobey while Michael van Gerwen and Bunting also collide.

The third St Helener 11th seed Dave Chisnall faces Daryl Gurney on Saturday afternoon.

Friday December 29.

Afternoon Session (1230 GMT).

Damon Heta v Berry van Peer (R3).

Jonny Clayton v Krzysztof Ratajski (R3).

Jim Williams v Raymond van Barneveld (R3).

Evening Session (1900 GMT).

Boris Krcmar v Gary Anderson (R3).

Michael van Gerwen v Stephen Bunting (R4).

Michael Smith v Chris Dobey (R4).