York Indoor Bowls Club are primed to host one of the most prestigious tournaments in the club’s 40-year history.

Starting tomorrow, the Planet Bowls York Open begins with competitors coming from all parts of the United Kingdom to feature in an elite group of 64 players vying for a top prize of £1,000.

The Planet Bowls competition has been running since last October and has only before featured in the Midlands and South of England.

York is the most northerly venue for this year’s competition culminating with the final round at Erewash IBC in October.

The programme of events starts at 10am tomorrow with the first session of singles matches which are played in sets featuring England International Vinnie O’Neill (Hartlepool) against Alistair Cook (North Cave).

The second session starts at 11.30am when top local player Anthony Scruton, above, plays past world champion Billy Jackson from Lincoln. The winners of the first and second sessions will play again at 1pm.

The afternoon session starts at 2.30pm with the second session at 4pm.

This features current ladies world champion Rebecca Field (Norfolk) who started her bowling career at York IBC against Liam Cairns (Bassetlaw) and the highest-ranked Planet Bowls player Danny Denison (Torquay) up against Rhys Vaughan (Ffrith).

The second stage of the afternoon matches starts at 5.30pm.

Entry is free to the club during the competition and the restaurant will be open for food and drinks from 9am to 7pm.