BURTONWOOD Brewery's Rose and Crown pub in Leyland have a pub team that is different from any other team that you would expect in your local- not darts or pool- but a boules team.

The game, which originated from France, involves throwing a metal ball as near as possible to a target ball and is already proving to be a massive success.

The Rose and Crown, on Stannifield Lane, have already topped the 'Croston Twinnings' league table, fighting off competition from ten other pub boules teams in the North West.

"This is the first year we've had a boules team so we're really pleased they've won the league," said Rose and Crown manager Nicky Edgar.

"For the last few years we've had a traditional pub football team, which is well supported by our regulars, but we wanted something a bit different to entertain the people that pass through the village."

Visitors of the pub can spot the team in action on the boules pitches behind the beer garden.

"The team are taking a well deserved rest now the season's finished," added Nicky. "But they're raring to start practising again for the start of the season in April." TALKING balls: (back row) Olivia Whitehurst., Andre Falloon, Liz Crombie, Bob Cannell and Jackie Atherton. (front row) Tony Crombie and captain Richard Bradshaw.