Two Cornish couples are the toast of their local bowling clubs after they won a total of £700 in a special tournament at Torquay.

Falmouth's David Perrin from the Carnon Down Bowling Club and his wife, Cynthia, and friends Maureen and Jim Oram who play for the Newquay Trenance Bowling Club, won the top prize in the New Year bowls tournament at TLH Leisure Resort in Torquay.

The hotel group, which boasts a full standard tournament size four rink at its Derwent Hotel, organises three festivals every year and this year - for the first time - it agreed to offer a special prize of £700 for the winners of its New Year tournament to present to their club.

David, Cynthia, Maureen and Jim have decided to split the prize money with £350 going to each of the clubs . . . but they also won for themselves a commemorative trophy and crystal glassware.

The monetary prize appeared to be quite an incentive for the four- day tournament attracted its highest number of entries with 130 players representing over 20 clubs all over the country.

Full report in this week's issue.