VANDALS will force bowlers to play important games on away turf after a reign of destruction, according to players.

The bowling green, based on Plumstead Common, has been targeted by yobs for more than two years.

They have used it as a football pitch, broken fences, trashed changing rooms and torn down window shutters.

Facilities are used by ex-servicemen including the RAF Association, as well as blind and partially-sighted bowlers.

They have tried to deter the vandals by erecting new fences and gates and replacing roof tiles on a changing room after youngsters ripped them off.

George Rudge, 62, a member of the Plumstead Common Working Men's Club team, started playing at the bowling green 10 years ago and spends time helping the groundsman deal with the problems

He said: "The players are upset. We have to continue to use a green not fit for playing so it can stay open. I think visiting teams, in the Kent County games, will refuse to play here because it's so bad.

"The kids have taken away all of the recreation for some elderly people in the borough. They are intent on destroying the green and they are winning."

Greenwich Council, which has been working with players, confirmed new fences were put up on the site, last week, and that security teams would be patrolling the area in the evenings.

Sector Inspector for Plumstead and Thamesmead John Salisbury-Jones confirmed police are aware of the situation and are looking into the problem.

April 29, 2003 10:00