A PETITION has been launched to secure a 104-year-old local bowling club's future.

Members of Lady Alice BC say it is in danger of closure if they cannot secure a 25-year lease which will allow them to carry out desperately needed work on the building.

Due to new laws the committee now have to go through the Sheriff Court in order to obtain a long term lease which will allow them to apply for funding for the work.

They have launched a petition calling for the community to back their bid.

Club secretary Joe Carruthers said: "A 25-year lease will allow us to begin with our planned and much needed club house renovation.

"It will also allow us to apply for funding from various sources, such as the National Lottery and Tesco Bags of Help grant scheme."

Mr Carruthers says the club plays an important role in the town.

He told the Tele: "Lady Alice provides the community with bowling greens for leisure bowling and with a dedicated function hall.

"We aim to demolish and rebuild half of the building which is in a state of disrepair and requires works immediately as it has been condemned.

"Attaining this lease will allow us to commence work, improve the toilet facilities at the clubhouse and allow us to install a fully accessible disabled toilet and a permanent disabled access ramp which can be used by any member of the public when the club is open.

"If we don't get this agreement there is definitely a danger of the club closing."

Joe says the work is expected to cost about £300,000 with the club having to secure £100,000 in funding to pay for it.

He said: "It's my intention that we get this done as soon as possible.

"In 2003, we were asked to take on these greens and keep them for the purpose that they were built for.

"We have kept the place going for the past 16 years and we have a reasonable healthy bank account but we would never have enough for the work that needs done.

"If we don't get this lease, the club would be under threat of closure."

Councillor Tommy McVey has given his support to the club.

He said: "I would like to pay tribute to Joe and the committee for the tenacity they have shown over all these years.

"Hopefully everything goes well and the lease agreement will see the club enter a new era for the benefit of the ward seven community and the rest of Inverclyde as a whole."

Anyone who would like to sign the petition can do so at the Lady Alice clubhouse or online via the Lady Alice Bowling Club Facebook page.