Bowls enthusiasts have taken to the rink and raised over £1200 to support charities.

Players competing in the four-week-long Visit Great Yarmouth Festival of Bowls 2022 have raised £1260 that will go to Cancer Research and Great Yarmouth foodbank, Pathway.

The event, which is the UK's biggest outdoor bowls festival, is organised by Great Yarmouth Borough Council and the Festival of Bowls Committee and sponsored by Visit Great Yarmouth.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Festival of Bowls 2018Great Yarmouth Festival of Bowls 2018 (Image: Brian Grint)

A tombola took place throughout the festival, from August 28 to September 24, which raised £1,260.

Of the money raised by the Festival of Bowls committee's tombola, £1,000 will go to Cancer Research in memory of Rodney Scott, a stalwart of Great Yarmouth.

Mr Scott was a prominent Great Yarmouth businessman and hotelier who owned Pier Hotel, in Gorleston, and the Prom Hotel, which sponsored the festival, alongside his children.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Ian Scott, owner of the Prom HotelIan Scott, owner of the Prom Hotel (Image: TMS Media)

Ian Scott, owner of the Prom Hotel, said: “We are so pleased that the organisers of the bowls tournament have chosen to support Cancer Research. It’s a charity that’s very close to our family’s hearts after our father passed away last year.

“He was a keen bowls player, and it has been a privilege to be a sponsor of this successful and really popular summer tournament for so many years.”

The remaining £260 will go to the foodbank, which provides free meals and support to those in need across the borough.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Festival of BowlsGreat Yarmouth Festival of Bowls (Image: Brian Grint)

Sophia France, relationship manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “The pandemic has dramatically affected our ability to fund research, so Ruth Cockrill at the borough council and the committee’s support has never been more needed nor valued – they deserve every piece of recognition that they can get.”

“If you are interested in supporting Cancer Research UK in Norfolk and Suffolk contact Sophia France on 07721 457886 or sophia.france@cancer.org.uk.”

Applications are now open for the 2023 festival, priced at £7 per person per game. For four weeks, starting on Bank Holiday weekend from Sunday, August 27, until Friday, September 22, the free-to-watch competition will hold tournaments for men, ladies, and mixed teams in singles, pairs, triples and fours.

Players can apply and find out more at www.festivalofbowls.co.uk