Game may be over for bowling club

Membership of the club has dwindled to 60 in the past few years

It is feared one of Britain's oldest bowling greens could be forced to close due to dwindling membership.

The Falcon Club in Painswick, Gloucestershire, was started in 1554 - when Princess Elizabeth was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

The village club relies on its members to help run it, working on the green and in the clubhouse.

But club President David Holmes said people were no longer willing to volunteer their free time.

"Where we used to have a membership of about 90 not many years ago, we're down to just over 60 and gradually it's getting smaller and smaller," he said.

"I think it'd really sad if a club that has been in existence since 1554 was to close down."

Bowls England said it was a national problem, with many smaller village clubs struggling for members, because people no longer wanted to commit themselves.