Soutar helps train guide dogs off the oche: "It’s amazing when it goes onto help someone"

Alan Soutar as not only a darts player but also a fireman leads a busy life but as he explained to The Courier, he also has another hobby which keeps his mind occupied.

Soutar for the past four years has spent his time with his partner, Amanda training guide dogs from their home in Arboath in an effort to help those in need.

“At the age of 43, I’ve had loads of good feelings in my lifetime,” said Soutar to The Courier. “But this is a different level.

“We will spend a year bringing a dog to become a proper guide dog. It’s amazing when it goes onto help someone.

“Our first dog, Quando, passed. He now lives with an 89-year-old, Mary, in Belfast.

“It has changed her life. She has much more independence and calls Amanda all of the time.

In not only helping others, Soutar revealed how it helps him to switch off from his dual life fighting fire and throwing darts.

“As an able-bodied and sighted person, you can’t understand what a blind person goes through," he added.

“I will often stick headphones in and go for a five mile walk with the dog.

“I’ll think about my home life a lot but also about darts. I’ll think about where I’ve come from and where I want to be.

“It’s a form of escapism and I get to see some beautiful parts of Arbroath.”