Bowlers in Paisley have hit the jack-pot after securing £50,000 towards a brand-new bowling green at Lochfield Bowling Club.

Having taken over the day-to-day operation of the club, members want to replace the South Green with a new surface to improve the quality of play and combat historical flooding issues.

The club hope that being able to offer bowling whatever the weather will help attract new members, including young people and families, and allow them to promote the club further within the local area.

The funding has been awarded from Renfrewshire Council’s Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund.

Liz Crawford, Lochfield BC Secretary, said: “We were absolutely delighted to receive this £50,000 grant and we will work with the council and other funding bodies to apply for further grants that will allow us to complete the project.

“It’s been a difficult 18 months for our communities and it’s important to encourage all ages to get active and socialise with other people. Lochfield Bowling Club provides the perfect opportunity to do this.”

Another project approved is the creation of a community garden at the high-rise flats on Neilston Road in Paisley.

The Charleston Tenants and Residents Association have been awarded £10,000 to create a social meeting point for residents, with plants and seating areas to be installed in the currently vacant area.

Residents will be involved in the planning of the initial landscaping works and will take over the maintenance once the garden is in place.

Dorothy Finlay, Chair of Charleston TARA, said: “We hope that the garden will bring members of the community together whether to potter in the raised beds and get children involved in growing fruit, veg and flowers, or to just sit and have a blether.

“This will improve the availability of community facilities in this area so it will be a nice place to meet.”

Since the launch of the Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund, 52 projects have been supported with more than £1.6million committed to deliver a variety of projects, including brand-new play park equipment, community gardens and nature paths, and infrastructure improvements.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to allocate even more funding to two hugely worthwhile projects in the local community.

“This fund has delivered real change to local neighbourhoods and empowered local people to make a difference to where they live, with more than £1.6million committed to projects already, and I can’t wait to see the difference it makes for the Lochfield bowlers and residents on Neilston Road.”

For more information on the Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund, visit the council website at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/GreenSpacesFund.