A clash of fixtures means that entries are slightly down for this year's week-long York Open Bowls Tournament, which starts next Monday.

The main drop is in the number of ladies taking part because Yorkshire Bowling Association have ladies club championship matches scheduled for the same week.

Tournament secretary Ian Farrar said that he has written to the county association asking them in future if they might be able to avoid scheduling their event at the same time as York's biggest outdoor bowls event, which attracts players from all over the North East.

A new event features in this year's 36th York Open - a junior competition for players aged under 18.

"The bowling population is ageing and we are trying to encourage young players," said Farrar.

"I was at Copmanthorpe school recently to introduce pupils to the game of bowls and there were 60 youngsters, six of whom have joined clubs.

"The entry for the junior competition is a bit disappointing, though, with only 12, all of them male. The problem for young females who might want to take up outdoor bowls is that club competition for ladies are held in the daytime during the week when the youngsters are at school."

Tournament chairman Alastair Sugden has donated the Chairman's Cup for the junior winner, while the runner-up will win the Greenside Cup donated by Martyn Tattersall. The winner and runner-up also get cash prizes.

The junior event will be held at Clarence Gardens on Friday, August 1, starting at 11am.

The whole tournament starts on Monday, July 28, with the mixed pairs. Three venues will be used during the week - West Bank Park, Glen Gardens and Clarence Gardens. All the finals will be played on Saturday, August 2.

The Lord Mayor of York, Coun Charles Hall, and his civic party will officially open the tournament at Clarence Gardens, with the first games starting at 10am.

Last year's mixed pairs winners, Shirley Stacey and Iain Boyle (York) are not defending their title.

In the men's pairs Ray Clark and Jack Armitage will be trying to retain their title.

Peter Wilson (York), last year's singles winner, starts the defence of his title against Goole's Tom Grassby.

Betty Richardson (York) will be trying to retain the ladies singles title and win the event for the third time in five years. Gill Clark (Tockwith), last year's beaten finalist, is also among the entries.

In the ladies pairs, last year's champions Maureen Ashley and Audrey Swann, from South Shields, will be bidding to achieve back-to-back success.

Updated: 10:05 Tuesday, July 22, 2003