WESTHOUGHTON crown green bowler Kevan Shaw believes the sport is enjoying a resurgence thanks to its return to free-to-air television.

The final 16 of the sport's premier competition, the Co-op Funeralcare Waterloo Championships, have been broadcast on ITV4 since 2015.

Shaw, aged 48, missed the televised rounds after losing in the last 32, as did Horwich RMI's Duncan Watkins, who did at least win the over-50s title prior to the main tournament.

And while Shaw admits to being disappointed not to reach the final, something he achieved in 2005, he was happy to see 27-year-old Wayne Ditchfield, of Eccleston, crowned champion.

"More and more young people have been making it to the top level of the sport in recent years and Wayne is a great example," he said.

"The return of the sport to our TV screens and tournaments being streamed live on the internet have played a big part in that.

"People might recall that the game was on TV a lot in the 1980s and early '90s, but before ITV4 agreed to broadcast the Waterloo Championships it had been off our screens for 20 years.

"A lot of work has been done to get crown green bowls back on television, and that was made possible by the Waterloo Championships' sponsorship deal with Co-op Funeralcare.

"It stands to reason the more exposure it gets, the more chance there is of people thinking 'I would like a go at that'."

There is no doubt, however, crown green bowls has suffered some dark times over the past two decades.

Many bowling greens have been closed after the pubs they were linked to closed down, while some clubs have been put into jeopardy due to an ageing membership.

Shaw added: "These problems continue to exist, but I definitely think we are turning a corner.

"The Bolton area is a great example.

"We have six or seven strong leagues in and around the town, from the Bolton Mills and District leagues to leagues in Farnworth, Horwich, Adlington and Turton.

"They all play to a really good level, with local players well represented in the Lancashire county squads."

Shaw is a proud Red Rose player and this year won the Lancashire Merit – the region's top knockout competition.

He had hoped to carry that good form into the Waterloo Cup, but after the field was whittled down from 512 to 32 he eventually lost out to Merseyside Merit winner Phil Lee, who made the semi-finals.

Watkins, meanwhile, was beaten at the same stage of the competition by former Horwich team-mate and Waterloo winner Lee Heaton, who now plays in Croston.

Shaw added: "It is fair to say both myself and Duncan were disappointed not to get further, but it was still great to play in the latter stages of our premier competition.

"What is unique about the sport is the age range of the players, with those in the last eight ranging from 27 to 72.

"Young and old can play together on a level playing field – it has never just been a preserve of the older generation.

“I encourage anyone to go to their local green and have a go.

"Clubs will welcome anyone who shows an interest.

"I have played at the old Westhoughton Reform Club – now Westhoughton Sports and Social Club – since I was 11.

"We always encourage new players to get involved and join teams.

"Our junior players can very quickly reach the standard needed to represent Lancashire, which has a thriving under-18s team, while for older people its never too late to start.

"However, it is fair to say the younger you start the more chance you will have of making it to the very top, which I think was underlined by Wayne's win at the Waterloo."