INDOOR bowlers from the district are set to play a hands-on role in this year’s U25 World Championships.

Members of the former Tynedale Indoor Bowling Club were forced to find a new place to play in 2009, when the bowling green at Hexham’s Wentworth Leisure Centre closed.

More than 30 local bowlers joined the nearest indoor club, at West Denton, in the west end of Newcastle, so they could continue to play in regional and national competitions.

A decade on, and West Denton is preparing to host the U25 World Championships, which will attract some of the best U25 players from across the globe.

Forty competitors from England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong, France, Israel, Pakistan, Switzerland, Guernsey and Tonga, will compete in the U25 singles and mixed pairs competition, to become U25 world champions.

Former Acomb resident and Wentworth bowler Sheila Storey is now club director at West Denton, and is also president of the International Indoor Bowls Council (IIBC).

Mrs Storey played a key role in the eight-rink facility at West Denton being selected as host venue for the tournament, which will take place in December.

She said: “Our events committee has worked hard to make sure that all the competitors and visitors have what we hope will be a very enjoyable time at West Denton.

“The club’s members have embraced the chance to showcase our club and its international-standard facilities.

“We hope that this is just the first of many opportunities to host such prestigious events. West Denton is ready and looking forward to watching the best in the world at our sport of indoor bowling.”

The event will get under way with the opening ceremony at 4pm on Monday, December 2, with the first bowls session at 5pm.

Sessions will start daily at 10am from Tuesday, December 3, until Friday December, 6. Spectators are urged to book tickets. Free parking facilities will be available, as well as snacks and hot meals. For more information, email wdibc1@gmail.com or contact (0191) 2677459.