THE chairman of Darwen Rangers Junior Football Club has called on the council to consider setting up an indoor bowling facility.

Bill Stemp said the demand existed for such a facility but was not being met.

He said: “I think the council officials are missing a major trick.

“The only custom built site in Lancashire is at Staining, Blackpool. There is a major demand as proved by the short-mat versions (rolled-up mats) run in leisure centres around East Lancashire.

“The one I run at Darwen Leisure Centre has 20 teams and over 170 members.”

Mr Stemp’s call came on the back of former town council deputy chairman Steve Duncan’s campaign to set up an athletics facility at Blacksnape playing fields.