HUNDREDS of crown green bowlers have signed a petition to stop their green being destroyed by vandals.

The bowlers say they are sick of youths riding bicycles across the green, playing cricket and even having barbecues on it.

When they come to play on the green, in Bolton’s Moss Bank Park, they say it is damaged and not fit for purpose.

Now, they have launched an appeal for Bolton Council to build a fence around the area.

Bowler Ken Crook, aged 69, said it was the only bowling green in the borough not protected by railings.

He said: “Three or four weeks ago when we had the nice weather, a family was on the green and had laid out a blanket and were having a picnic.

“When they go on their bikes and play football and cricket on it they put holes in the green and make it uneven. To bowl on a green, it has to have a perfect surface.”

Almost 400 bowlers, including those from Bolton and others from teams who use the green for competitions, have signed the petition asking the council to build a fence around the bowling green.

They will present it to the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Guy Harkin, today.

Mr Crook, a grandfather-of-three, from Astley Bridge, said: “The bowling green has been here for more than a 100 years and is used five to seven days per week.

“We police the greens but we can’t be there all the time.

“We have got more than 380 signatures and I hope it makes a point.”

Cllr Roger Hayes, ward councillor and leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said he had visited the site a number of times and seen the damage caused by people using it for non-bowling purposes.

He added: “I think sometimes it is ignorance and not deliberate.

“Some people will see the space with its nice short cut grass and think, what a lovely place to have a picnic.

“The bowlers feel very frustrated. They are asking for a fence, but I think the funding might be an issue.”