More than a dozen visitors tried a new sport today as a Watford bowls club opened its doors to visitors.

The Herts Bowling Club, in Bellmount Wood Avenue, held an open day in a bid to attract new members and introduce others to “a game for everybody”.

Visitors, who received a warm welcome from club members, received expert coaching from experienced players as they ventured onto a bowling green for the first time.

Club chairman John Hornby, who has been playing the game for 58 of his 69 years, explained what makes the game special.

He said: “It’s a very skilful game and it is a very social game. It’s a game that people of all ages can play together because it is a level playing field for everybody.

“It really is a game for all abilities. There are blind bowlers, disabled bowlers; we’ve got bowlers here well into their 80s, almost their 90s. We’ve got more than 600 members from ages seven and upwards.

It is really a game that you can play for life.

“Today has been about attracting new members and showing people what we do.”

The club, founded in 1912, has an outdoor and indoor green.

For more details telephone 01923 239981.