WORK is under way to construct a new bowling green in the grounds of Hanging Heaton Cricket Club in Dewsbury.

The £65,000 scheme has been funded by Kirklees Council.

The crown green is being constructed on an area of spare ground next to the clubhouse and is expected to be finished in January with a grand opening at about Easter.

Plans are for a bowling club, with its own constitution and committee, to be formed under the umbrella of the cricket club's general committee and a bowling membership is to be introduced.

Cricket club president Mel Dearden, who has bowled for over 30 years and in the past has represented Ravensthorpe WMC and Heckmondwike Bowling Club, said he was overjoyed the bowling green was under way.

"We applied for and got planning permission for it nearly four years ago but we had done nothing about it because we've been so busy on the cricket side," he said.

The money offer came earlier this year from the council's Dewsbury area committee.

With the two nearest bowling greens, in Earlsheaton Park, already operating at full capacity, the opportunity for Hanging Heaton to have its own green has been well received by residents.

Clr Paul Kane, chairman of the area committee, said: "There is a demand for bowling in the area and so the area committee was pleased to be able to provide a new facility within an established and successful club."