A BOWLING club has been given permission to extend its clubhouse.

Astley Bridge Bowling Club in Ivy Bank Road will build a single-storey extension at the side and rear of the building.

Bolton Council's planning and highways committee also gave the bowlers permission to erect a new pitched roof to replace the existing flat roof, which is leaking.

The approval came as a new pavilion opened which has been funded by builder Rayton Developments.

In return the developer is building six two-bedroom apartments at the site of the old diapidated pavilion.

Rayton also gave the club cash to pay for other refurbishments in exchange for the plot of land and that money is being used to fund the clubhouse extension.

Club secretary, Gordon Cresswell, said that without the deal, the 180-member club had faced certain closure.

He said: "Hopefully the club's future is looking a bit more secure now. The extension to the clubhouse will give us a bit more room at a time when we are hoping to make the club a more social place to bowl.

"It's another step in the right direction and we're very pleased with the progress that is being made."