Keen bowlers are desperate for cash help to make their fund-raising tournament a success for the Deal Memorial Bandstand charity.

Betteshanger Bowling Club has decided to donate all cash from its annual Leivers Memorial Trophy competition to the trust, but the recession has hit sponsorship.

Club committee member Terry Tonks said: "We have helped lots of good causes in the past at the tournament and wanted to support the bandstand for the 20th anniversary year. But our sponsorship is down this year due to the current climate."

The club is hoping backing will come forward quickly and if anyone can help they are asked to contact Mr Tonks, treasurer of the club trustees, on 01304 362022.

He would also welcome donations of raffle prizes for the open triples tournament, which is being staged at the club off Cavell Square, Mill Hill, Deal, starting on Saturday, June 28. The competition continues until the final on Saturday, July 4.

Mr Tonks added: "The club takes nothing for itself from the tournament and we are already £500 down, so any offers of help will be gratefully accepted."

Betteshanger Bowling Club was founded in 1937 by miners who travelled from Scotland, England and Wales to work in the Kent Coalfield.

The open triples trophy was donated to the club by colliery organisations and in 1955 it was renamed the Leivers Trophy after the death underground of Edward Leivers, a manager at Betteshanger Colliery, which closed in 1989.

On Saturday the trophy made a rare outing, when it was polished for a photo call at the bandstand on Walmer Green with representatives from the bowling club.