A RENFREWSHIRE bowling club faces thousands of pounds in repair costs after mindless vandals set fire to the building in the early hours of Sunday morning.


Members of the Woodlands Bowling Club, Brediland Road, Linwood, were devastated to find a storage hut and all the equipment had been destroyed as well as parts of the synthetic green. 


And the committee are now estimating the costs could run into the thousands to replace the bowls, jacks, hut, and more. 


Peter Watson, a committee member and former President, said: "Basically a couple of guys have come into the facilities in the early hours of Sunday morning. 


"They've had a crowbar and tried to get into the clubhouse but as soon as they discovered they couldn't do that, they tried the shed.


"They've ripped the door off the hinges and found there was nothing of use to them, so they've simply torched the place."


Mr Watson said the club was currently in discussions with their insurance company to try and cover the costs of the repairs but admitted the members could find themselves having to fork out. 


He added: "The whole green is unusable for the foreseeable future.


"This is the second time something like this has happened and last time we all got together and funded the repairs and improvements. 


"So, everyone is just really angry and disappointed by what has happened.


"But, we've already had a lot of support from other local clubs who have promised to lend us bowls and other equipment."


Discussions are still ongoing between the club and the council, who own the facility, regarding any future repairs on it.