Eight-year-old twins James and Ryan Tiler are helping to change the image of bowling as an old mans' sport.

They are the youngest members of Lund Park Bowling Club in Keighley which also boasts the area's oldest players who are in their '90s.

James and Ryan, pupils at Keighley's Holycroft Primary School, are helping spearhead the way for youngsters to take up the sport.

The club already has three other youngsters who play competative bowls - 13 year-old Ben Holmes and his 11-year-old brother Joe of Fell Lane, Keighley and 17 year-old James Beedle. The twins' are still too young to join a team, but they hope to be taking part in competitive games soon.

Their guardian, Marilyn Hockey of Grafton Road, Keighley, said the boys were invited to have a go and were so enthusiastic they were invited to join the club.

"They love the sport. In the summer they almost live up on the green, if it was open now they would there. They play in any conditions - even when it's been belting down with rain."

James said: "We used to come up all the time to watch, then a man let us have a go and they let us join."

Ryan added: "We sometimes go into the committee room with the men. When we're older we want to join the committee."

The two boys are now saving up for their own bowls - at present they have to borrow a friend's set.

Brian Ellis, secretary of the 120 strong club said: "We're really pleased to have the twins as members because we want even more youngsters to join. The sport has an image as an old mans' sport but in recent years there has been a significant increase in younger bowlers."

If more youngsters join the ranks, the club hopes to start a bowling school. Anyone wishing to join the club, especially young players, should contact Brian on 01535-670343.

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