ONE of the country's most successful bowling clubs will soon have one of the best greens in Lancashire.

Bolton Flat Green Bowling Club will be officially opening its new state-of-the-art artificial green next month - after an eight-year struggle.

The 100 members, who this year celebrate their 25th anniversary, will be putting out the red carpet on Saturday, April 2, for the Mayor, Cllr Prentice Howarth, to perform the tape cutting, as well as welcoming old and new players.

John Franklin, publicity officer, described how despite being the most successful club in the country, sweeping the board at competitions, the old green was in such a bad state that last year they could not play on it and had to hire other greens in the area.

But £120,000 from Sport England, £20,000 for Bolton East Regeneration, a further £20,000 from the Foundation for Sport and Arts, and members contributions of another £20,000 set the project rolling for a new pavilion and green which has floodlighting and fencing.

The pavilion was handed over last November and the green in September. Since then, members have been "bedding it in" so Mr Franklin hopes that by May it will be the best in Lancashire.

"As it is artificial, it means we can play all yea," he said.. "The past eight years have been very frustrating for us but it did not deter our success.

"We are looking forward to the official opening which is a week before the official start of our season."

The opening party will be held at Leverhulme Park on April 2 at 1pm.

Anyone wanting more information about the club, which also offers the crown green code andwhose members range from 13 to 80, can log on to its new website at www.boltonflatgreenbowlingclub.com