TENPIN BOWLERS hopes were knocked down after discovering that a newly built bowling alley does not accommodate their sport.

Wokingham Superbowl has just opened after its move away from Wellington Road.

Rather than taking the chance to celebrate, bowlers feel aggrieved because they were under the impression the new facilities would be tenpin. 

The British Tenpin Bowling Association does not recognise skittles as a sport and competitive bowlers are being forced out of the town to pursue their game.

The new alley was built as part of Wokingham Borough Council's carnival pool regeneration and is on the ground floor of the 529-space car park.

Dave Eyre, a competitive bowler said: "If the alley was closing down for good we would have understood and moved to an alley out of Wokingham, but we were all under the impression that a brand new tenpin bowling alley would be installed.

"During the time that the project was going on we have heard nothing but rumours and false promises.

"The new alley was going to be the start of a new era of Berkshire bowling and when we walked inside to see that skittle alleys were installed instead, our hearts just sunk."

Mr Eyre believes the skittle facilities were installed instead of tenpin due to cost-cutting measures because the machinery required if far cheaper to purchase, install and maintain.

He added: "We as league bowlers make up the majority of the customers and have been good customers for so many years, even at the old place when it was falling apart.

"If Reading built a new football stadium and you turned up and the ground was plastic the players and the fans would go bezerk, the Football Association wouldn't recognise it and that is what has happened here." 

Big Apple Superbowl Ltd have been contacted for comment.