A BOWLER believes council chiefs are ‘wasting resources’ after they watered bowling greens in Accrington this week despite the ongoing heatwave.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said with water shortages the parks staff at Accrington’s Oakhill Park should have been given other work to do until stocks are replenished.

This week, United Utilities has warned a hosepipe ban could be in the offing unless people started better conserving precious water supplies.

He said: “We play on Oakhill Park and went up there on Monday morning and they were watering the round green.

“When we got there to play later, it was still wet. When it is wet it means you have to adjust the pressure you bowl.

“I was very surprised to see them there especially with United Utilities saying there could be a hosepipe ban if we don’t all think about our water usage.

“The council should also be sticking to the rules that we all are being told.

“They have filled up a tank with water and gone there to water the round green.

“There is no need to be watering the grass so that it grows.

“I would be very concerned if they keep doing it.

“It was a total waste of resources and money they could be better using their time by cutting the grass or getting rid of the weeds.”

But Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Council hit back saying the staff were in the right.

He said: “The council are aware of what United Utilities are doing. We are saving water across the council but the issue with the bowling greens is at a critical level.

“We are needing to put in maintenance systems in place as we are being told by some bowlers that the grass is cracking.

“This critical level means if we do not interfere and water the grass then we will be looking at a six-figure bill to try to replace all the bowling greens which we don’t want to do.

“We will then have bowlers complaining to us about not having any greens for them to bowl.

“We are monitoring our water usage and working with United Utilities.”