2014 Lakeside champion Stephen Bunting has revealed that he is looking forward to the challenge of competing in the PDC after announcing that he has decided to leave the BDO.

Bunting, who defeated Alan Norris to win the BDO's version of the world title, leaves the organisation as the world number one, and the Liverpudlian has admitted that it was a "massive decision" for him to make after his success over the past 12 months.

The 28-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "It's been an absolutely massive decision for me to make and a very difficult one.

"I've loved my time in the BDO. I've won everything that I can in the BDO now and I was just looking for a new challenge. If I was going to join the PDC, the best time to do it was as world champion.

"I'm really looking forward to the new challenge and let's see what I can do against the big boys."

Bunting will make his debut on the PDC Pro Tour during the UK Open qualifiers next month.