An MP today urged Bradford Council to get tough on vandals who attack bowling greens - by taking them to court.

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe wants the authority to use new powers from Home Secretary Jack Straw to take out anti-social behaviour orders.

The orders can be brought in where offenders cause nuisance or harass people and can lead to a six-month prison sentence or £5,000 fine if they are broken.

Mr Sutcliffe said he had been approached by bowlers who had had enough.

He said: "It is heartbreaking especially for elderly people whose lives revolve around their bowling. Very many people enjoy it in the district's parks.

"There appears to be a lot of vandalism and people even riding bikes over the greens. There is a lot of concern."

Today, Jack Stewart, President of Shipley's Crowghyll Park bowling club, said they suffered from drunks and drug takers getting onto the ground - but some other Bradford clubs had suffered serious damage in the past.

"One club put big fencing up but it was bent right back as if someone had used a crow bar.

"It must have been heart-breaking for people because for some it's their only interest," he said.

But former competition secretary of Bradford Crown Green Bowls Association Jim Mellor said they were working with agencies including the police, Council and park rangers and there had been an improvement.

The Council's executive committee member for leisure, Councillor Barry Thorne, said on one occasion parents had been sitting watching children playing football on a green.

"We have regular meetings with the clubs and a very good relationship and in fact the problems are dropping."

But he said there were difficulties with enforcement because the greens were in public parks.

Coun Thorne said they would look at the possibility of using orders.

l The Council was recently granted its first Anti-Social Behaviour Order against a teenager who continually upset neighbours with his loud music.

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