A 94-YEAR-OLD Darwen bowling club could go out of existence because of escalating vandalism costing thousands of pounds.

Olive Lane Bowling Club was formed in 1909 and has enjoyed the membership of elderly residents. But membership has dwindled to 30 and fewer people seem prepared to visit the green and put up with the damage.

Winifred Tomlinson, of Knowles Lane, who has been at the club for eight years, said: "On Wednesday morning we found that an entire wall had been knocked down. That wall had been there for a good 50 years and it's just one of the many things these vandals are getting up to.

"In April they put a mattress on the green and set fire to it. We've had railings pulled off and we always have kids walking over the green.

"We used to encourage kids to bowl but we don't anymore because we've had so many problems and it's a real shame.

"There is litter all over the grounds and it's worse now than it ever was."

Three teams, including a senior citizens group, play at the club but some bowlers are being deterred by the vandals. Richard Maynard, 72, of Walmsley Street, has been looking after the grounds for three years. He said: "People are definitely being put off because we get bits of rubbish thrown on to the green while we are playing. We built our own kitchen last year but that's been broken into and locks vandalised."

Thirty-eight club fences have been replaced by the council, which owns the green, in the past 12 months and thousands of pounds has been injected by the members themselves to boost the club. Mr Maynard said: "We are at our wits' end."

Blackburn with Darwen Council is looking into the repair of the wall. Coun Eileen Entwistle said: "I've reported this to the police. I really sympathise with the bowlers. They have tried to get the kids involved but it backfires."

Sgt Anne Scott of Darwen Police said: "We know about the problem and are investigating the damage."