A BOWLING club fears it may have to close down if work to carry out much needed repairs is not carry out soon.

Highfield Bowling Club has been plagued by teeny vandals in recent years who have caused so much damage to greens that members are leaving in droves.

The once successful club has already lost half of its members with three men's teams having to disband while a ladies outfit is struggling to put out a side.

The club has already had to switch a prestigious tournament to Queens Park Bowling Club because of the problem, while security shutters have been put up on the hut to keep vandals away.

Jackie Boardman, secretary of the Blackburn Ladies Bowling League, who has been a Highfield member for 10 years, blames Blackburn Council's lack of urgency for the club's plight.

Now she wants immediate action to be taken, saying with the school holidays looming she fears problems could escalate - because children use the greens as cycle tracks and football pitches

She said: "We are disappointed with the way we have been treated by the council. They said they were going to improve the greens but all they did was come along and fill the holes with sand. They are in a dreadful state and members have had enough and they are leaving. A new perimeter fence has been put up but it hasn't kept these kids at bay - at this rate we may have to close down."

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesman said: "The state of the greens is a direct consequence of vandals getting into the club. But we are constantly reviewing the situation and have already undertaken several security measures on the pavilion at the club."

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