DETERMINED pub bowlers persuaded brewing giant Greenalls to back down after being told to jack it in at their historic club. Ridgway Arms Private Bowling Club members were outraged when they were ordered off their green at the rear of the Blackrod pub earlier this year. But the dogged players decided to fight the closure and wrote directly to Greenalls top directors. Now they are celebrating after being told by brewing bosses that the club - which dates back 110 years - can carry on.

Club secretary Norman Winrow, a bowler at the Station Road pub for 32 years, said: "I am quite delighted.

"I never expected a small group like ours could overcome a huge company like Greenalls."

Mr Winrow, aged 60, of Meadow Way, believes the original decision had been made at a regional level by Greenalls.

The plans had been to turn the bowling green into a children's play area to entice families to the pub for meals.

But Mr Winrow said brewery chiefs had changed their minds because they had been impressed by the history of the club.

The players had been making do with travelling to Horwich to play on the green at the back of Horwich Public Hall.

The 36 club members, who play in the Adlington and District Bowling league, have had to get their own green into playing condition after weeks of neglect while the threat of closure loomed.

A spokesman for Greenalls said: "After due consideration and careful regard of the views of local residents, Greenalls has decided to return the bowling green."

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