SOME of the leading bowls players in the country will converge on County Durham next month as Stanley Indoor Bowls Club hosts the International Series and British Isles Series events.

More than a week of top-class bowls action will begin on Friday, March 6 with the Ladies International Series, which runs until March 8. The British Isles Championships will take place between March 9-11, with the Men’s International Series rounding things off between March 12-14.

A strong field is expected in all three events, with a number of medallists from last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow confirmed participants.

The women’s competition will feature England’s Helen Faulkner, Sian Honnor and Sophie Tolchard, who are all Commonwealth gold medallists, while the men’s competition will see Scottish gold medallists Paul Forster, Darren Burnett and Neil Speirs go up against Sam Tolchard and Andy Thompson, who will be leading the England team.

“The venue at Stanley is in great condition, as it was the last time we were here,” said Peter Thompson, from the EIBA, English bowls’ governing body. “And we have some of the best players in the UK to play on it.

“Myself and the players always like coming to the North-East and Stanley in particular. The atmosphere is great, and the people really know their bowls in County Durham.”

Tickets for the events are available from Stanley Indoor Bowls Centre on 01207 236941 or from www.stanleyibc.co.uk.