COUNCILLORS in Burnley will decide whether bowl-ing clubs will have to increase fares in the New Year following a review of bowls provisions.

A report into the review is proposing that charges for bowlers will increase by £20 over the next two years to help reduce subsidies and that each club should have a target of signing up 50 season ticket holders.

Currently bowlers have to pay £1.02 per week and this is set to increase to £1.74 per week in 2009. This means the average fee paid by bowlers will increase from £28.70 to £48.70.

The review identified that the numbers of bowlers in Burnley are decreasing while the number of older people in the borough is increasing.

The report said: "There is a surplus of greens and a higher level of provision than in other authorities. There is a high level of subsidy.

"To reduce subsides, charges will increase by £20 over the next two years."

Councillors will decide whether to implement the proposed changes at a meeting of the Executive on Tuesday, January 8.