IN 2015, Cumbria becomes one of only six areas in England to be designated a 'hot spot' for bowls.

A group called the Bowls Development Alliance (BDA), is tasked with increasing nationwide participation in the sport.

Nationally, it wants to get 10,810 new people aged 55 and over, into the sport by 2018. It has cornered off six 'hot spot' areas where it wants the game to flourish - for the good of the sport and for people's health.

And Cumbria is in its sights. For the next 12 months, bowls cash and resources is being diverted into the county with one simple aim - that by 2016, an extra 140 people across Cumbria will be playing.

It has linked up with Active Cumbria, the county partnership trying to get more participation in sport and activity, to deliver the scheme.

Two 'club engagement nights' are planned to explain the idea to club officials. Locally, the big one is at Penrith Leisure Centre on January 22 from 7pm.

Bruce Lawson, of Active Cumbria, explained: "We are already blessed with a strong network of bowls clubs and indoor centres across the county and we are looking forward to working with them to help significantly grow the numbers of people playing bowls."

"‘Our first task will be to share with the clubs and centres the exciting proposals that we will be planning for Cumbria."

KENDAL couple Malcolm and Julia Booker, always led active lives as they are keen fell walkers. A couple of years ago, they took the plunge to join Netherfield in the South Lakeland Rural Bowling League.

The league specialises in welcoming newcomers to the world of woods and jacks. Starting in April and finishing in August, 20 teams battle it out over the course of the season.

This season, Kendal's own Netherfield, narrowly missed out on the league but lifted the league's other big prize - the David Skidmore League Trophy. Malcolm, 60, and Julia, 59, really enjoy the game.

"We're new to bowls as we have only been doing it for two seasons as compared to others who have been doing it for 40," Malcolm explains.

"The reasons are we recently retired and it's just down the road at the Netherfield Cricket ground. It's something to have a go at and it's local to us.

"There's a group of friends we have that we know that play there so we thought we'd go down and try it. It's also reasonably cheap to get started. A new set of bowls can be had for £80, with second hand sets about half that."

"Additionally Netherfield have purchased several sets of bowls for people who want to try their hand at bowling before committing."

Malcolm now manages Netherfield Bowling Club's website and gets involved in organising competitions with other members.

"It's social," he says. "And on a sunny afternoon down at Netherfield, what could be better?"

Cllr Ian Stewart, the county council cabinet member responsible for Active Cumbria, said: “We’re the only Hot Spot area in the North West and Active Cumbria, part of the county council, deserves a big pat on the back for helping make this happen. We are looking forward to working with them to help significantly grow the numbers of people playing bowls."

Mike Tordoff, 71, is the President of Cumbria County Crown Green Bowling Association and lives at Grange-over-Sands and welcomed the new initiative.

He explained the flat green game is popular in the north and west of Cumbria, while Crown Green has a prominence in South Lakeland.

"It's one of those sports where you can play from the age of eight or nine all the way through to 90," explains Mike. "A cradle to grave sport."

"Some players have fathers, sons and Grandfathers in their teams, as well as Mums, aunties and Grandmothers."

Mike himself is a convert to the Crown game - having moved up to the area when he retired after specialising in the flat game. Of participation levels in bowls in Cumbria, Mike says: "As a county of our size, I think we probably punch our weight. I would say we have a very healthy future."

Bowls themselves vary in weight from the lightest being 2lb and then incrementally increase in two ounces until the heaviest which is 2lb 14 ounces. The objective is to be the first to get to 21 points by getting their bowls nearest to the Jack and then being award points for doing so.

Average games tend to last around 40 minutes, but good players can get their 21 points in as many minutes and fiercely contested games can go on just over an hour sometimes.