The event, opened by the 2008 Miss Scarborough runner-up Hannah Creelman and Scarborough town crier Alan Booth, has been hailed a success.

Visitors were invited to try their hand at several fun events including two new games – bowls golf and bowls cricket.

Bowls golf involves players using their skills to get a hole in one with their bowls while negotiating hazards such as bunkers, trees, and lakes.

When playing bowls cricket, the batting team scored runs while the bowling team tried to reduce them by hitting a set of stumps using bowls.

Centre Manager Colin Rennard said: “I am thrilled that our first open day proved to be so popular, and I look forward to increased interest in The Bowls Centre which is truly a fantastic community facility.”

A full programme of events included different ends indoor bowls using “fun rules” and target bowls when players try to land on large and small targets.

Miss Creelman, who enjoys sports herself, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed trying out a new sport which is actually quite challenging.”

In the Alexandra Room at the centre there were also several stalls offering home made cakes, books and bric-a-brac as well as a tombola offering a variety of prizes.

Meals, snacks and refreshments as well as a barbeque were available throughout the day as well as drinks from the bar.