PLEAS have been made for council bosses to reconsider proposals to withdraw lifeline funding for bowls clubs.

In a letter to Blackburn with Darwen Council’s environment head Tony Watson, county secretary for North Lancs & Fylde County Bowls Association Jon Metters said teams would be forced to fold if funding is pulled.

Eight borough clubs each receive a share of a £17,000 pot annually. But they have now been told the council is considering the withdrawal of funding to the Corporation Park, Everton Street, Roe Lee Park, Green Park, Highfield Park, Hoddlesden – Blacksnape, Olive Lane and Whitehall Park sides.

Another meeting has been scheduled for February 18, when clubs will learn if their funding is to be axed.

Mr Metters said: “The reduction or withdrawal of funding will mean that most, if not all of the eight clubs, could be forced to close. The clubs will not be able to find the additional revenue of about £1,500 to allow them to survive, resulting in the loss of these clubs forever.

“This will not only affect the bowlers and social members of each club but the wider community. It also will remove any health benefits both mentally and physically for people who rely on these clubs for keeping active and mentally stimulated.”

He believes resulting green closures would “severely affect” Blackburn, Darwen and regional leagues at a time when the sport was looking to attract more young and older players.

Mr Metters said the council once provided park rangers, bowls house keepers and greenkeepers, before transferring the responsibility to bowls clubs themselves.

Tony Watson, the council’s environment head, said: “We have got difficult decisions to make and we want to make sure we listen and take on board the concerns and consider carefully the likely impact this would have.

“We have asked clubs to write to us in further detail to outline any other concerns or ideas they have so we can look to find a suitable compromise that helps the council make the necessary savings, whilst supporting them to continue to exist.

“I have agreed to visit clubs who have asked me to do so and we will take into consideration all feedback before we next meet again in three weeks.”

He said clubs had told him their associations had also increased fees, creating more financial pressures.