A MEASURE to secure the future of local bowling clubs has been welcomed by Worth Valley and Craven ward councillors.

But the politicians have warned that individual club members must not be charged too much as part of the rescue package.

Bradford Council last year charged £15 for every member of every club across the district that used council-owned bowling greens.

The fee, a contribution towards the overall cost of cutting grass on the district’s greens, has risen to £25 for the 2016/17 year.

The council’s parks department officers came up with the solution after being told to cut £50,000 a year from its greens maintenance budget.

The council had originally suggested each club mow its own greens, but none took up the idea last year.

Adrian Naylor, a Silsden and Bradford councillor, last year criticised the lack of notice to the clubs, who had already set their own annual membership fees by the time they learned of the council’s budget cuts.

Cllr Naylor said: “I’m very surprised by the steep increase between £15 and £25. The concern is that there will be additional costs in future.

“There may be older people who can’t afford to pay that amount. I want to see bowling maintained as an affordable way we can get older people out exercising."