Fans of the French game of petanque from all over Cornwall will be converging on the Star Inn at St Day on Sunday, April 3, to take part in the first event of the 2016 Cornish petanque calendar.

The annual Easter Egg Shoot doubles competition will be contested by teams from petanque clubs at Altarnun, St Columb Major, St Day, Pendeen and Tregony.

They will be joned by people from twinning and community groups and families who have enjoyed playing the game while on holiday in France and want to take their involvement further.

‘We are aiming for a great start to the 2016 season with this event, and particularly looking forward to seeing lots of new faces,’ says Peter Lynas, president of organising body Kernow Petanque.

‘Petanque can be enjoyed by people of almost any age and is very easy to pick up, but it can also be very skilful and played at a high level.’

Petanque, played with hollow steel balls known as boules, is increasingly popular in Britain, with the largest competitions now attracting hundreds of players.

Registration for the contest on April 3 is from 10am-10.15am, with play starting at 10.30am. Entry is £5 per player.

There will be a lunchtime break – please order in advance through Kernow Petanque Playing Officer Andrew Jarvis on 01872 272603 or contact the Star Inn on 01209 820242.

For more information on petanque in Cornwall see the Kernow Petanque website at www.cornwallpetanque.co.uk or the association’s Facebook page.