Michael van Gerwen won the World Masters in October

Teenager Michael van Gerwen is aiming on his debut to become the third straight Dutchman to win at the Lakeside World Darts Championships.

In the last 12 months, 'Mighty Mike' has shot up to number three in the BDO rankings with a string of wins.

"Now I have fulfilled my dream by getting here I might as well go on to win the title," said the 17-year-old.

"That is not being arrogant. If I didn't think like that there would be no point in walking onto the stage."

Having won the prestigious Open Holland and Winmau World Masters among other victories, Van Gerwen has been made the hot favourite by bookmakers, even though he has never played at the Lakeside before.

I'm not feeling any pressure - I'm just looking forward to playing at Lakeside for the first time Michael van Gerwen

The Dutchman will become the youngest competitor in the event's history when the action gets under way on Saturday.

And he is hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Raymond van Barneveld, who won his fourth BDO championships in 2005, and last year's champion Jelle Klaasen.

"Playing on the most famous stage in world darts is what I have always dreamed about - it's where I want to be," said Van Gerwen, who first took up the game only five years ago.

"I'm not feeling any pressure. I'm just looking forward to playing at Lakeside for the first time and doing well - and if I win I will come back and do it all over again."

Lakeside top seed Martin Adams, runner-up to Van Barneveld in the 2005 final, believes the teenager will not find his Lakeside debut too daunting.

"Some people think Michael is arrogant but I think he's a great little guy," said 'Wolfie' Adams.

"But at 17 you have to remember he's still a child. I don't know if I could have handled everything he has done when I was that age.

"I think he will cope fine though, no problems at all.