A LITTLE corner of France in Newent may be lost because of lack of support for the sport of boules.

Newent Boules Group will disband unless new blood can be found to look after the court by Newent Lake.

Boules player Mel Jones, aged 80, of Craddock Road, has written to Newent Town Council with the information that only two people used the outdoor boules court last year.

He said that because of his age, he feels he can no longer continue with the caretaking duties for the court but would welcome someone stepping in and saving one of the town's most unusual facilities.

Mr Jones said: "If someone wants to take it on, I'd have no objection. The court needs to be raked over every week.

"Kids draw pictures in the sand and drop beer bottles and cigarette cartons, which I pick up but now I'm getting an old chap."

In recent months, fallen leaves have created one of the biggest annual problems.

Mr Jones, who has enjoyed holidays in France, hatched the idea of a boules court for Newent eight years ago, when he read an article outlining the rules of the French game in a Brittany Ferries magazine.

Mr Jones obtained permission from Newent Town Council to convert a former tennis court by the lake.

At the height of the group's popularity, in 1998, there were 12 regular players and matches were arranged with the Upton St Leonards' team.

Last summer, only Mr Jones and fellow Probus Club member Pat Kennedy were playing.

Mr Jones said: "People get old, and some have defected to the short mat bowls green at the leisure centre."

Anyone wanting to retain a little piece of French culture in Newent and take on the care of the boules court, should phone 01531 820633.