Members of a Thornton bowls club have vowed to "rise from the ashes" after their pavilion was destroyed in a blaze just days before members were to start summer league fixtures.

Fire crews were called to the club at Wensley Bank West but were unable to save the club's pavilion from the blaze.

Members used the club house to store bowls and equipment, which were all destroyed in the fire, and the club is still waiting for the Council's recreation department to provide it with a new clubhouse.

Eric Farr, honorary secretary of Thornton Veterans' Bowls Club, said: "We can use the green to practise on but without toilet facilities we can't play three or four-hour matches.

"I was talking to the Council yesterday afternoon and by a week on Friday there should be some light at the end of the tunnel with some temporary accommodation."

Bradford Council confirmed that a new club house is set to be built.

A spokesman said: "We will provide a temporary replacement for the hut as soon as possible but access problems caused by the steep entrance to the site could cause some delay."

The fire on Wednesday, April 4, came just days after the playing greens at Peel Park Bowling Club were damaged by vandals who ripped chunks of grass from the bowling greens.

Jimmy Herne, executive committee member of Bradford Crown Green Bowls Association, says Bradford's bowling clubs have been regular targets for vandals.

He fears bowling clubs could be creating a barrier between themselves and other park users.

He said: "The bowlers build a wall between themselves and the kids; they tar them all with same brush.

"What we should be trying to do is instead of being against each other, we should get the kids in and teach them how to play."

This is one tactic that has been adopted by Wibsey Park. The club is offering free coaching to youngsters every Saturday in an attempt to get them interested in the game.

David Halsworth, treasurer of the club, said: "Over a number of years we've had problems with vandalism, kids on their way to school walking and bicycling over the greens.

"I think it's better to look at the positives rather than the negatives. We have had problems with vandalism in the past, but let's look at the positives and get these kids involved and show there's enjoyment in the game."