PETANQUE is proving so popular in Heckmondwike, that the newly-formed club is seeking permission to extend its playing area.

Heckmondwike Petanque Club was formed earlier this year but has already had to put a cap on membership numbers due to a lack of space on their two terrains in Firth Park.

With 50 members already regularly playing, a waiting list has had to be introduced.

And the regular club sessions have taken their toll on the surface with the club this week adding five tons of aggregate to revamp the pistes.

The club has applied to Kirklees Council for permission to extend the playing area to enable more games to be played at one time and enable all those wishing to play to take part.

Club spokesman Steve Penny said: “The response to the sport has been fantastic.

“As well as regular club sessions on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings, members are also playing at other times of the week and have been busy representing the club at venues across Yorkshire.

“It is now one of the biggest clubs in the country and is attracting members from a wide area, indeed we have had guests playing from as far afield as Wrexham, in Wales, and Diss, in Norfolk.”

The club’s Winter League started this month with Pam and Alan Wallace winning the first of five legs. They won all five of their matches, pipping Alma and Roger Johnson to pole position on points difference.

The next round is on December 18.