BOWLERS in Cleveleys fear their club may be forced to close by a spate of vandalism and youths playing football on their greens.

Members of Cleveleys North Drive Bowling Club say they are plagued by groups of youths playing football on the bowling green and vandalising the club house.

A social group which met at the club house has already closed its doors because of vandalism, which comes only months after a £650,000 refit of the park.

"The vandalism has reached awesome proportions," say members of the club's committee in an impassioned letter: "and bowling is becoming a waste of time, unfair to other teams and no pleasure to our members. If things do not improve considerably we will have to go at the season's end."

They say that gangs of up to 20 young people can regularly be found in the area at night, often under the influence of alcohol.

"This is a cry for help to Wyre Borough Council.

"Please fence in the green and a club house to help us bring back the happy days," they added.

The council says it is keen to work with other agencies, including the police, to minimise disruption in the area.

A Wyre Borough Council spokesman said: "The council has provided extensive facilities for young people in that locality and cannot be held responsible for the behaviour of children who misuse or abuse other facilities or moreover private property.

"That said, we are keen to ensure council facilities are properly used and will be working with other agencies and the police to minimise problems at this site."