A WELLINGTON bowling club has been selected as Persimmon Homes South West’s Community Champion – netting them £1,000.

Wellington Bowling Club applied for the nationwide scheme to help pay for new equipment as demand increases at the club.

It says footfall at the Corams Lane facility is expected to rise as interest in the sport grows.

Persimmon Homes’ Community Champions initiative is a national programme where charities and groups can apply for funding up to the value of £1,000 to match money they have already raised themselves.

Richard Manning, development officer for Wellington Bowling Club, said: “The club has identified several key areas that need upgrading, expanding and revaluated in its development plan for its future.

“The footfall in the club during one season amounts to over 9,000 and will be substantially increased in the 2015/2016 period.

"Therefore because of the increasing demands on our equipment it was essential we applied for Community Champions funding.

“Persimmon Homes’ donation of £1,000 helps to ensure that more people will have more access to bowls at our club.”

Nina Hester, sales director for Persimmon Homes South West, added: “We were impressed with all the hard work Wellington Bowling Club was doing to be at the heart of the community.

“We wanted to do all we could to help the club and it is a pleasure to select them it as our Community Champion.

“As always it wasn’t easy to select our winner, such was the high standard of applications, and we would encourage any charity or organisation that missed out this time to apply again – even if they have won previously.”

To apply people can visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity