A NEW artifical turf bowling green will be laid at a Bolton club thanks to a cash boost from Sport England.

Bolton Flat Green Bowling Club based at Leverhulme Park will receive a £122,000 grant towards providing the new green. The club, working in partnership with Bolton Metro, plans to have the new green installed in time for the 2004 season.

Club development convenor Gordon Niven said: "For seven years Bolton Metro has supported our efforts to find better facilities. In the last two years between us we were able to convince Sport England that redeveloping the existing site at the Gorses end of Leverhulme Park with a Promaster Green, fencing and floodlighting would encourage more people to play flat green bowls."

The club is also trying to persuade the Foundation for Sport and the Arts to partially fund a new or improved Pavilion.

Sport England's Regional Director Stewart Kellett said: "The awards this month have been granted under the Priority Areas Initiative. The initiative seeks to provide extra help to applicants in areas of the country where there is social and economic deprivation."

Applicants from the designated Priority Areas who meet qualifying criteria are eligible to receive an enhanced level of funding towards the capital cost of the project."

Councillor Donald Grime Executive Member for Direct Services said: " I am delighted about the grant which will help encourage more people from the local community, including youngsters to take part in the sport. A key aim is to continue to build on our strong, local communities -strengthening pride in the Borough."

The club's publicity officer John Franklin said: "The Development Committee did not take the decision to use an artificial surface lightly - much research and investigative work has taken place over the years.

"To coincide with the opening of the new green next April we will be launching our new website and we will publish details of all the investigations into artificial surfaces. Next year our Membership Development Committee will begin introducing youngsters to the sport with confidence because we will have a first class bowling facility, the best in Bolton. We plan to hold some Crown Bowling events during the winter months."