PRESTON sports fans are clubbing together to campaign for a purpose built centre for indoor flat bowls.

Named the Toucher Pressure Group after a bowling term, the campaign will lobby businessmen, top players and the council to get a centre set up in the town, housing around eight rinks, a viewing area and a cafe/bar.

Bob Morton, who heads the group, has printed leaflets and petitions and aims to get thousands of signatures to prove how popular the sport is.

The Penwortham pensioner said: "I've been a crown green bowler for years. I took up the indoor game 15 months ago and found it addictive, requiring lots of skill and forward planning like chess.

"It's a pain having to travel to other towns to play indoor bowls, or to stand around in the cold for the outdoor game. There are thousands of bowlers in Preston and interest in the sport has shot up in recent years. It would be an excellent investment for a developer."

County crown green bowler Joan Jolly, from Brookfield, must play for a Blackburn team when she takes up the indoor game. She said: "There are two centres in Blackburn, one in Chorley and another in Blackburn yet none in our town.

"Preston is the heart of the county when it comes to bowls. We have the World Championships here and competitors could practise at the centre before matches. Other cities are building bowling rinks which could lure the competition away.

"We need to get youngsters involved to make future local champions. It's also a good game for the disabled who use adapted wheelchairs to play."

To support the campaign, contact Bob on 01772 496987.

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