REDUCED prices are being introduced for junior bowls players at the Marina Centre after the issue was raised by a borough councillor.Labour group leader Michael Castle contacted bosses at the sport and leisure centre to ask why under-16s were paying the same rates as adults to play indoor bowls.

REDUCED prices are being introduced for junior bowls players at the Marina Centre after the issue was raised by a borough councillor.

Labour group leader Michael Castle contacted bosses at the sport and leisure centre to ask why under-16s were paying the same rates as adults to play indoor bowls.

Charges for a �20 card covering 10 sessions are now to be reduced to �16 for children following

Mr Castle's intervention.

The reduction was confirmed at a meeting between centre managers and Great Yarmouth Bowls club committee members earlier this week. However, standard charges of �2.50 a session are set to remain the same for all age groups.

Mr Castle said: “This is a move in the right direction - it recognises that young people should pay less to take part in sporting activities, but I am disappointed the reduction

could not be a little more substantial.”

Ward member for Yarmouth Central and Northgate, Mr Castle was contacted about the

issue by constituent Arthur Carver.

Mr Carver's 13-year-old grandsons Lewis and Adam Camerford play twice a week at the venue with dad Paul.

Retired painter and decorator Mr Carver, 74, has been playing bowls for the last 40 years.

He said: “This is good as far as it goes, but there should be a reduction on the standard charges too. If you want to bring more youngsters into sport, then it has to be made more affordable.”

No one was available to comment from the Marina Centre at the time of going to press.