ALMOST 200 people took part in a bowls roadshow when a spot outside Worcester Guildhall was transformed into Cripplegate Park.

Consortium of Cripplegate Bowlers’ trustee and secretary Pat Stokes has hailed Friday’s event in High Street as a “huge success”.

Pupils from The Chantry School in Martley were among those who had a go, with the girls beating the boys.

Pat said: “A total of 188 people had a go at which was very encouraging and 111 of those were over 55 years old.

“We also had children from The Chantry and they thoroughly enjoyed it, with the girls beating the boys.

“It’s the first time anything like this has been done in Worcester to raise the profile of the Cripplegate bowlers and I don’t think many people would have seen bowls in the High Street before.

“When you do something for the first time, you are not sure how it’s going to go, but people who came along enjoyed themselves.”

Sue Bentley organised the promotional event through Sport England, with shoppers and passers-by given the opportunity to bowl on a mat.

Pat also organises the bowls volunteers at Cripplegate Park, while her husband Peter is the greenkeeper.

She added: “I think the consortium is beneficial to the medical profession because the sport offers healthy, gentle exercise for people of all ages and abilities.”

The Consortium of Cripplegate Bowlers are holding another event to raise their profile next month.

It takes place at the University of Worcester Arena in Hylton Road on Saturday, June 6 and runs from 10am to 3pm.