Part was given a �100,000 cheque after his victory

John Part has become the fifth man to win a version of the world title more than twice after beating Kirk Shepherd in the PDC World Championship final.

The Canadian, who won the BDO title in 1994 and the PDC crown in 2003, looked set for a comfortable win after racing into a 4-0 lead at Alexandra Palace.

But qualifier Shepherd, playing in his debut world championship, hit back and made the score 5-2 with a 160 checkout.

Part spurned two match-winning chances before a double 10 sealed a 7-2 win.

"It is unbelievable, absolutely fantastic," said the 41-year-old Part. "I just came over and wanted to have a good performance.

606: DEBATE Your views on the world championship final

"I've had a good year in 2007 and I knew I was playing good enough to get far into the tournament but never imagined winning it.

"It is harder when you are older. I was worried as it was getting hot and the fingers were getting slippy.

"Kirk seemed to be getting confident so I'm happy I closed it out when I did because he could have been a lot of trouble."

Part, nicknamed "Darth Maple", joins Raymond van Barneveld, Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow and John Lowe in winning either version of the world championship more than twice.

He made a fine start, claiming the first two sets 3-2 with the next two taken 3-0 as he won seven legs in succession.

I'll be back, this is the start of things Kirk Shepherd

Shepherd, the 21-year-old sheet metal worker from Kent who was a 500-1 outsider at the start of the tournament, was struggling to find the form that defeated Wayne Mardle, Peter Manley and Terry Jenkins on his incredible run to the final.

But he regained his composure and ended Part's run by taking the lead in the fifth and fought back from 2-1 down to win his first set.

His superb finish then made the score 5-2 but it was only a brief respite as Part closed out the match in the next two sets.

"I have reached the final of the hardest darts competition in the world and I am so proud of that," said Shepherd.

"I would have liked to have played better but you can't take it away from John, a worthy champion.

"I didn't start off well - at 4-0 down against a player like John it is very hard to get back into it. But I'll be back, this is the start of things."

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