POLICE are investigating reports that yobs pelted members of a bowling club with stones while they were playing on the green.

One missile hit the pram of nine-month-old Liam Lang, son of one of the members, who claims it could have caused him serious injury, even death.

Graham Lang, 31, of Rolleston Road, said his family were pelted as they visited Witton Bowling Green, Pleasington Street, Blackburn.

Insp Peter Zsigmond of Blackburn Police said: "We got a call from Mr Lang and will interview him about the incident which we are investigating."

Graham's car was hit with a large rock which caused a dent in the the roof at the green on Thursday evening. His nine month old son's pram was also hit and Graham said the blow could have killed him.

He said: "It happens all the time at this time of year and we are trying to find a way to make the youngsters see sense and find their enjoyment at some other place.

"My other son Adam had to run for shelter with his mum. It was very dangerous and could have resulted in serious injury."

Roy Preston, a committee member for the club, said they were interested in getting the youngsters involved in bowling over the summer in a bid to solve the problem.

He said: "This is a never-ending quandary for us. I have a brand new car and it has twice been vandalised on the car park. The scratches will cost £200 to repair.

"We would like to get the youngsters involved in bowling to show them they can have fun the proper way, rather than carrying out mindless acts."

To combat vandalism the bowling green set up a youth bowling club last year which helped relieve the problem.

Graham said: "The club seemed to ease the problem. Because local youngsters were involved, they didn't want to damage something that was good for them but now kids from other areas have started.

"I chased the gang of youths who were aged between 14 and 16 and phoned the police in the morning because I knew by the time they had got to the green the culprits throwing the stones would have been long gone.

"Vandalism and anti-social behaviour is a problem which goes on all over Blackburn but for some reason bowling greens seems an easy target."

Alan Cottam, councillor for Livesey with Pleasington ward, has experienced the troubles first hand. He said: "My car was recently pelted with stones and now I have to park away from the green.

"The stones are being thrown from the other side of the river on to the green and it usually happens on a day when mostly veterans are playing who can't give chase.

"It is about time the police took some action because people are being put in danger. It surprises me that no-one has been seriously hurt."