YOUNGSTERS in Potters Bar will be able to play bowls using the proper equipment, thanks to a �600 grant from two county councillors.

Cllrs Eddie Roach and John Usher both allocated �300 to a youth scheme at Potters Bar Bowls Club, in The Walk, from their locality budgets.

The grant will be used to buy smaller sized bowls for the younger members of the youth scheme.

Last year, Potters Bar Bowls Club started the initiative aimed at young people aged nine to 13, to fill a gap in provision of bowls for youngsters in south Hertfordshire.

Before the scheme was set up, young people in the Potters Bar area would have to travel to Watford to learn the sport.

Bowls is now part of the school sports curriculum and Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme.

The season runs between May and September, it is planned that during next winter the youth scheme will practice at Hatfield Indoor Bowls Club.

A grateful Brian Burfoot, committee member at Potters Bar Bowls Club, said: “The bowls made for adults are four times larger than the ones we have purchased for our younger members; this will make a huge difference in how much they enjoy the game and how well they play.”

Cllr Usher, also speaking on behalf of Cllr Roach, said: “We are pleased to be able to support this scheme which will benefit young people in the local area.

“Bowls is no different to any other sport and young people that get involved in this game at an early age could find themselves progressing to compete for the county and even for England.”