A CRICKET club has been bowled by Bolton Council's decision to stump up cash to help with much-needed bridge repairs.

The council has given £5,000 to Bradshaw Cricket, Tennis and Bowling Club towards the £40,000 cost of replacing the broken bridge over Bradshaw Brook.

As revealed in the BEN, the club has been losing thousands of pounds since the bridge, built in 1911, was declared unsafe for vehicles to cross. The bridge provides the only vehicle access to the club, which has set up a fund-raising campaign.

Cllr Cliff Morris, executive member responsible for the Voluntary Sector Grants Scheme, said: "We were pleased that we could contribute. It would be a loss to the town if the £40,000 could not be raised and the club had to end."

Club spokesman John Hawkins said: "Although a lot of money is still needed in order to reach the £40,000 mark, we are now well on our way because of the council's generosity."

The grant is one of a number awarded from the Voluntary Sector Grants Scheme, which this time has doled out more than £20,000 to Bolton groups.

Other awards include: £5,000 to Stoneclough Action 2000 and Beyond for help with rental of premises; £1,500 to Bolton Multi-Cultural Arts to help residents stage a play; £3,439 for the Wellfield Project to improve learning opportunities for young people, and £2,489 to the Hulton Lane clubroom known as Wally's for children's play facilities.