A £20,000 cash boost to improve outdoor bowling facilities in Hartlepool has been approved by councillors.

The windfall, the result of an underspend on the community services budget, was approved at a meeting of the community services and safety board last week.

Councillor Stephen Close, chairman of the board said: "We are delighted to be in a position to make this contribution and aim to work closely with the town's bowlers to decide exactly how the money should be spent."

The latest cash injection comes on top of £10,000 pledged for improvements by Hartlepool Borough Council earlier this year.

Head of sport and recreation, Oliver Sherratt, said: "The money could, for example, be used to pay for security fencing around greens.

"Such measures should, in turn, help to improve the playing surfaces by preventing unauthorised access and trespass on the greens."

He said a meeting was due to be held with the Hartlepool Outdoor Bowls Consortium on Wednesday to decide joint spending priorities.

The boost was welcomed by Stan Waites, of the Consortium, who said: "This demonstrates the council's commitment to the future of outdoor bowling in the town and cements the positive relationship we enjoy.