FOUNDER of Great Bedwyn Croquet Club Yvonne Cunnane wants to shake the stereotype that only pensioners play it and is keen for more teenagers to pick up a mallet and give the sport a go.

It comes after a study has found the quintessential British game is in danger of becoming extinct by 2037, as not enough young people are playing it, according to research carried out by Heathrow Airport.

So Mrs Cunnane, 72, who lives in Marlborough High Street and set up the Great Bedwyn club two years ago, is eager for members of the community young and old and of all abilities to try it out and have some fun.

“The most bizarre thing that I don’t understand, is young people definitely have an advantage – the world champion is 20,” she said.

“You can be very competitive and it’s also a game of the mind. It’s not just about belting the ball through the hoop, because you’ve got four balls you can use strategies for getting round and sometimes it’s the brains that win rather than the hand-eye coordination.”

The survey carried out on 2,000 Britons by the airport, also found one in 20 had never heard of the sport and just 2 per cent of people in Britain are playing the game.

“This is a social game,” Mrs Cunnane added. “We have a great time and the club is incredibly friendly. It’s the laughter and giggling that’s the most important thing about it and it’s the opportunity to meet different people.”

The group of 27 aged 18-80 meet all year round at the grounds at Farm Lane in Great Bedwyn and specialise in playing golf-croquet as oppose to association croquet.

The game also serves as a way to get light exercise and players can rack up a mile of walking during a game. Afterwards, there are cakes aplenty baked by Mrs Cunnane and the clubhouse and lawn can be used all day for people to practise on their own.

The Great Bedwyn Croquet club is about to start their new membership year, for more information call Mrs Cunnane on 07900680942 or email yvoneecunnane@yahoo.com