CIVIC leaders have joined darts fans in paying tribute to Potteries icon Phil Taylor.

The Power has been described as an ambassador and "in a class of his own" following the comprehensive 7-1 demolition of Raymond van Barneveld in the PDC World Darts Championship final.

Calls have now been made for the 14-time world champion's achievements to be granted civic recognition.

Placards at the Alexandra Palace were calling for the darts legend to be given a knighthood.

"Arise Sir Power" was one of the cards being brandished.

Burslem MP Joan Walley said Phil is a talisman for the town and the wider Potteries area who could inspire the region in other ways.

She added: "I think he is a real ambassador in terms of his approach and winning mentality, and he is what we need as an example of what we can do and what we can achieve.

"One of the things we should be considering is how we can work with our iconic figures, and he is absolutely one of them."

Ms Walley said that a traditional way to reward the great and the good is for them to be granted the freedom of the city.

Winning the honour would make Phil Stoke-on-Trent's 64th recipient and bring him in line with the likes of Sir Stanley Matthews and former Stoke-on-Trent South MP George Stevenson. It is the highest honour a city can bestow.

Mark Meredith described Phil's achievements as "truly astonishing" and said he is a fantastic ambassador for the city.

The elected mayor said: "He always mentions the city and its people whenever he can and his name is known all over.

"He is so far ahead of his field he really is in a class all of his own. He is the best-ever at his chosen sport."

Mr Meredith added: "When people talk of great sporting men and women, Phil Taylor should be at the top of the list.

"He has won 14 world championships and he is still the same modest, family man from Stoke-on-Trent he has always been, and that is a great tribute to the man and the city he comes from."

Even as he was warming up ahead of the clash with Raymond van Barneveld, Phil had his home town in his thoughts.

The 48-year-old told The Sentinel that he wasn't overly-impressed with London and was looking forward to getting back to North Staffordshire.

Speaking after his victory, he said: "I am a very proud Potteries man and to win it for the Potteries has left me made up."

Many of Phil's fellow Port Vale fans had made the trip to north London on Sunday night and were in agreement that his achievements deserved civic recognition.

James Brough, aged 30, from Sneyd Green, said "He was awesome, but then that's Phil.

"I am always proud to come from Stoke-on-Trent when we have a sportsman like Phil."

Ian James, aged 50, from Norton, said: "He is a thorough professional and a thorough gentleman as well."

From an outsider's perspective, Nathan Oratis watched The Power take his 14th world title at the Ally Pally and said Phil should be celebrated in his home town. The 29-year-old Londoner said: "The Power is a Potteries icon."

The Bradwell-based thrower has been at the top of his game for years, a fact recognised by expert commentator Sid Waddell prior to the match.

He had tipped a Power victory and commented on the star's unerring focus, drive and unquenchable thirst for victory.

Ellis Cashmore is professor of culture, media and sport at Staffordshire University and has written books on sports psychology.

He said the handful of sportsmen who reached, and stayed, at the very top of their games for an extended period of time had similar character traits and had to make sacrifices in other parts of their lives.

Mr Cashmore added: "Sometimes people say that when you get to that level you can coast to titles, but they have to spend hours practising, not to improve, but to maintain that edge."

Mr Cashmore added: "Peerless world champions dominate their sports not solely through their technical ability but through their motivation."