Perhaps the most well-known moment in the history of Lawn Bowls was on July 15, 1588 on Plymouth Hoe, when Sir Francis Drake apparently ignored the approach of the Spanish Armada in order to finish his game.

The athletes at the Commonwealth Games will no doubt be equally dedicated to their chosen sport.

Lawn Bowls has a long history - the first club was established at the turn of the 13th century according to historians - but the game may have been around for much longer than that since some believe a similar game was played by the Ancient Egyptians.

Hugely popular in the UK, the sport is played around the world and has been a part of the Commonwealth Games from the very first in 1930, in Canada.

The Manchester 2002 Elite Disabled Athletes (EDA) will make their mark at the Lawn Bowls event, with visually and physically disabled athletes competing, and their medals will count towards the overall medal tally for their country.

The sport will feature strongly in the Games, with events taking place throughout a full nine days at Heaton Park's stunning bowling complex.