The future of many of the area’s bowling clubs is under threat as local authority chiefs continue to consider a raft of cuts to save money.

West Dunbartonshire Council and its leisure trust maintain six bowling clubs in the area and are hoping to save £100,000 by either closing some of them, leasing them out or passing operation to each club’s committee.

In Clydebank, Goldenhill and Whitecrook Bowling Clubs will be closed if the hunt for a new leaseholder to run the site as a bowling club is unsuccessful, with WDC then putting them on the market for sale.

A report being prepared for the budget meeting on March 6 states this is because there are only 50 members between both sites, backing up the claim there has been a “steady decline” in membership over the last decade.

Across Dumbarton and the Vale, there are four ‘veterans’ clubs – aimed at people of retirement age – at Christie Park, Bonhill, Balloch and Renton.

Council officers want to transfer the running of each club to their respective committees and give the clubs responsibility for the maintenance of buildings and grounds.

The report reads: “The membership of all bowling clubs tend to be older members of the community.

“Closing these may have accessibility issues for members in relation to leisure and social activities and may lead to social exclusion.

“There are currently three privately owned clubs in the Alexandria area which potentially could have the capacity to accommodate membership of the affected bowling clubs.

“Council also lease out two bowling clubs one in Dumbarton and one in Alexandria which generate an income of £15,000 per annum.”

The news has been met with dismay from locals to each club, with one resident telling the paper he didn’t want to lose his club because it was a great way to socialise.

Another commented on the West Dunbartonshire Council Facebook: “The four veterans bowling clubs are also being considered in these cuts. Disgraceful.”

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesperson said: "This proposal will be considered by Elected Members during a budget meeting taking place on March 6.

"No decision can or will made in advance of this date."