A VANDAL-HIT crown green bowling club is celebrating a cash award of £850.

Members of Bradford Street Veterans Bowling and Social Club in Farnworth have suffered a series of attacks on their club over the past three years.

Chairman Jack Peers said vandals had wrecked benches at the side of the bowling green.

Youngsters had also played football on the green and used the small clubhouse as goal-posts.

Now Bolton Council has installed a perimeter fence to keep vandals out and Help the Aged has awarded the club a cheque for £850 under the charity's community grant award scheme

The initiative is designed to help groups who encourage leisure activities for the elderly.

Club officials will use the windfall to buy new benches and furniture for their clubhouse.

Mr Peers said: "It is a great boost for the club.

"We have around 80 members -- all of whom would like to thank Help the Aged for the grant.

"It is a very timely award as our season starts in April.

"The money will also go a long way to securing the future of our club."

The club, dating back to 1928, plays in the Farnworth and District Veterans Bowling League. Their season is due to start late next month.