IT WAS a lucky seven for Portway Junior School’s head teacher Tim Deery as he officially opened Andover’s new bowling alley.

Mr Deery had the honour of bowling the first ball at the newly opened Riverside Bowl last Wednesday, knocking down a respectable seven pins in front of a crowd of eagerly watching school children.

Although he fell just shy of the dream opening ball strike, the Portway chief, who admits he hasn’t bowled in a decade, said he was pleased with his score.

“I was nervous. I don’t think I have bowled for about 10 years so I was a bit worried I’d miss completely.

“Obviously someone was looking after me because I scored seven.”

Mr Deery was joined at the official opening by 55 children from schools across the area, who were the first to get a taste of the new facilities.

The students, from the likes of Anton, Balksbury and Roman Way schools, enjoyed a round of bowling each before getting to try out the new glo-golf course.

The colourful nine-hole putting area, which is only the second of its kind in the country, was a major hit with the students.

One excited glo-golfer even shouted: “This is the best crazy golf I’ve ever been to. It’s amazing.”

Another, Maylis Riera, aged 10, from Endeavour, said about Riverside Bowl: “I think it’s amazing.

“I love the bowling. It’s a good thing for people who like sporty bits.”

Adults were equally impressed with the new Valley Leisure run facility, which opens 16 months after the closure of previous venue Breakers.

Test Valley Borough Council member for St Mary's Ward councillor Iris Andersen said: “I’m blown away. The glo-golf looks absolutely amazing. It’s a great experience for children.

“This is a great thing for the town and for people of all ages.”

A chuffed Valley Leisure chief executive, Kevin Paterson, was also delighted to finally open the new facility.

He added: “This has been 16 months of hard work and it’s great to see it finally come to life.

“We are so pleased to have the children here.”

“We wanted to ask them to come and join us on our opening as it is part of our commitment to the community.”

The new facility is now open to the public.

To find out more about the facility or to book visit www.riverside-bowl.co.uk.