Bert Keech Bowling Club is closing just three years short of its centenary

The England bowls team will play a special game at the Bert Keech Bowling Club in York on Wednesday to mark its closure after 97 years.

Former England captain Keech is one of the most famous names in the sport and the club was renamed in his honour after his death.

York RI Bowling Club president Alan Price said: "It's closure is a great loss to sport in general.

"We all love playing at Bert Keech, the green is fantastic," he added.

The private members club is closing because the rent has become too expensive. It is believed the owner wants to sell the site for development.

Price added: "Bowls England, which is the game's new governing body, is bringing a representative side from all around the country.

"The England team is playing a game for the Scarborough (South Cliff) centenary on Thursday, so they're all coming up a bit earlier to play at Bert Keech."

The club was founded in 1912, and recently hosted the New Zealand bowls side as they prepared for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Wednesday's match starts at 1400BST.