Three-time Commonwealth Games medallist Sian Honnor believes the success of Bowls’ Big Weekend can fire the sport to new heights ahead of a gigantic British summer.

More than 800 clubs took part in the event from May 27-29, which saw newcomers welcomed to the sport.

And ahead of a colossal summer of bowls action in the UK, Whitstable's Honnor knows the importance the weekend will have had in drawing more people in.

She said: “There are a lot of opportunities this summer for people to see bowls and for them to see how great it is.

“People who went along to clubs will have been surprised to see people of all ages, from all backgrounds.

“We’re very welcoming to people with disabilities and it’s so inclusive. I met my husband through bowls, some of my best friends are bowlers and my children play."

Honnor won Commonwealth gold at the Glasgow 2014 Games, but she still enjoys playing with her family even after reaching the pinnacle of the sport and believes if people have not yet given it a go, it is never too late to start.

“It can be played by the whole family," she added, "it’s so inclusive for everybody and para-athletes will line up against us on the same green, at the same time.

"I think that's really important for the sport to show how inclusive it is.

“There’s not any other sport where a child can play alongside their grandparent and that’s what is so great about it.”

After Bowls’ Big Weekend comes the European Championships, followed by the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in a monumental summer for bowls in the UK.

And Honnor is delighted to get the opportunity to compete at the storied home of English bowls - Leamington Spa.

“It makes a real difference having that support and friendly home crowd," she added.

"And I think that would be magnified at Leamington."

Find your nearest club at www.bowlsbigweekend.com