OFFICIALS at a Greenock bowling club have been forced to mount a major clear-up operation following an alleged break-in.

Lady Alice Bowling Club has been the subject of thousands of pounds worth of damage after an alleged raid on the premises.

Police say they have made arrests in connection with an incident at the Inverkip Road clubhouse, but club officials have been left sickened as they deal with the aftermath.

Secretary, Joe Carruthers, says members were devastated when they discovered extensive damage.

He told the Tele that the overall cost would have run into thousands if the members had not been able to make all the repairs themselves.

Joe said they reported to police that members’ bags had been emptied and stuffed full of drink, while it is also alleged that a new set of bowls worth £300 was taken.

Mr Carruthers said: “A locker was pushed aside and a hole smashed through a plaster wall into the cellar.”

A door from the cellar into a storeroom and another from the storeroom into the ladies’ locker room have also had to be repaired after being broken down.

Joe said: “I could have wept when I saw this absolute mess.

“We looked around the area and found a dozen bags full of stuff hidden in the undergrowth at the adjacent overgrown former Hector McNeil baths site.”

Police say that two men, aged 24 and 26, are alleged to have been disturbed while breaking into the club at 5.30am on Wednesday.

Sergeant Kayley Teasdale of Greenock police told the Telegraph: “Items were stolen from various lockers.

“However, the property was recovered and returned.”

She added: “Two men have been arrested.”