Unusually wet conditions this year and last caused water logging and missed matches for bowls clubs all over the country.

A specialist firm now involved in off-season remedial action is Terrain Aeration, which says it recently treated six greens in seven working days.

Among them were Braunton Bowling Club in Devon which hadsuffered waterlogging on all its eight links, and other clubs in the county at South Molton, Buckfastleigh and Plymstock.

“We’ve got 18 inches of top soil, a layer of clay and then shillet. Our green, like many in the area, was not constructed in the conventional manner,” said the Plymstock club’s greenkeeper Fred Birch Terrain Aeration used its Airforce Scamper Terralift machines for one metre deep compressed air de-compaction.

Dried, milled seaweed was injected by air pressure, but with virtually no surface disturbance.

Another recipient of the firm’s specialist treatment was Merthyr West End Club in South Wales.

“We’re home to the biggest open tournament in the country,” said its chairman John Davies.

“The tournament, with 250 participants and £4000 in prize money, takes place on August Bank Holiday weekend. The week before was so wet there was no bowls played on the green at all.”

For details call 01449 673783 or visit www.terrainaeration.co.uk