A FUNERAL business is offering to help any Darlington bowls clubs thatmay be struggling financially.

Whitehouse Funeral Service, in West Auckland Road, Darlington, has stepped in after Darlington Borough Council announced that funding to bowls clubs will be cut.

John Whitehouse said: "It would be such a shame to lose these very English sports and traditions.

"We want to help preserve bowls as much as we can and would be happy to talk to any clubs from Darlington who may need our help."

The funeral service recently sponsored Woodland Bowls Club's yearly competition, the Woodland Plate. "We donated the prize money for the event, " said Mr Whitehouse.

"This helps get people through the doors and, hopefully, attracts new players to the sport. It would be a great shame for all these clubs to disappear as they are part of Darlington's wider community and history."

He added: "Saying that, there are an awful lot of bowls clubs in the town, so the phone could be ringing off the hook."

To discuss sponsorship, call Mr Whitehouse on 01325482999 or to begin playing bowls, call Peter Hayman at the Woodland Bowls Club on 01325-465482.