A BOWLING club which has members aged from 14 to 86 has been given a grant of more than £400 by West Devon Borough Council.

Tavistock Short Mat Bowling Club has used the money to buy special equipment to help players who find it hard to roll out the heavy mats needed for the sport.

Each mat is 6ft wide and 46ft long and the council grant has paid for a third of the cost of mat rollers which wind and unwind the mats at the touch of a button.  

The club is currently based at Tavistock College where it has helped to introduce the sport to pupils and will be joining Sir Francis Drake Bowling Club at The Meadows in January next year.        

Chairman of Sir Francis Drake Bowling Club, Sue Silcox, said: 'Having the automatic rollers makes a big different and helps our members make the most of club nights rather than having to worry about dealing with the heavy mats.  Now there is more time to enjoy this wonderful sport which is growing in popularity.'

West Devon Borough Council has a limited pot of grant money available aimed at supporting a variety of local initiatives including village halls, local community projects, economic regeneration or development, the arts and sports clubs.

n For more information go to http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk or contact Sarah Brown on 01822 813600 or [email protected]">[email protected]