A SMALL group is trying to progress a new Petanque Court in the Ilkley Riverside Gardens, not far from the Riverside Hotel and are trying establish the number of players that might be interested, either in joining a club or in playing on an ad hoc basis.

A group spokesman said: “Bradford Council and Ilkley Town Council are both supportive, as are the U3A.

“We have the location and specification agreed and costed. The total cost will be around £8000 which we will need to raise.”

Anyone interested is asked to email IlkleyPetanque@gmail.com

Pétanque is a game that can be enjoyed by all the family and socially with friends for fun.

French in origin, it is now played right across the world and is one of the most inclusive activities available where people of all ages, gender, ability and fitness can play equally together.

Played with hand-sized hollow metal boules on various types of surfaces the object of the sport is to get as many of your team’ boules closer to a small wooden ball than that of your opponents.