YOUNGSTERS were bowled over as they received cash from councillors to buy sporting equipment in Potters Bar.

The money, from Hertfordshire County Council’s locality fund, will go towards buying smaller bowls for the young players at Potters Bar Bowls Club.

Councillors Eddie Roach (Conservative, Potters Bar East) and John Usher (Conservative, Potters Bar West and Shenley) donated £300 to the club’s youth scheme.

The scheme, aimed at young people aged nine to 13, was started last year in order to get bowls for youngsters in South Hertfordshire.

Before the grant was given, young people would have to travel to Watford to learn how to play bowls, which is now part of the school sports curriculum and Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme.

Brian Burfoot, Committee Member for the club, said: “The youth scheme has proved to be popular amongst the young people living locally and we are pleased to be able to provide the right equipment for them to be able to play properly.

“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.

Locality budgets were launched in July 2009, with funding to be used for worthy social, economic or environmental causes in Hertfordshire.

For more information on how to apply, visit www.hertsdirect.org and type “locality budgets” into the search box.