Bath Municipal Skittles League secretary Paul Hopkins believes it could be at least another year before the popular pub game restarts in Somerset.

The season curtailed on 12 March 2020 and was declared null and void with some teams having five matches remaining.

The winter league was due to recommence this September but there are worries that government guidelines means it would not be feasible.

"I don't know how pubs can maintain health and safety with skittles," said Mr Hopkins. "Would you have to sanitise the balls after every throw? You just don't know.

"I think there will be issues with pubs allowing teams to play. Some teams in our league are full of players who were classed in the vulnerable group and were quarantined for lockdown.

"The likelihood is we write-off season 2020/21 and try and restart in September 2021. We might start earlier on a smaller scale to complete some of this year's cup competitions as we're in the semi-finals with them.

"It would be too difficult to start and finish a winter league season later. Subject to the spread of the virus, we feel it'll be easier to restart afresh in September 2021."

Having formed in 1937, this current hiatus is the first break for the league since its resumption in 1947 following WWII.

"It's the longest I've gone without playing since I started." said Mr Hopkins, 67.

"The committee have kept in touch over email. I sent one to all the team representatives at the end of March explaining that there wouldn't be any skittles for the foreseeable future.

"There was no clear winner at the top of the league before the break which makes it a bit easier declaring it null and void.

"The teams haven't been in touch asking when it's starting up again. I think they understand it's just not feasible now."

Mr Hopkins joined Treasurers in 1971 and has captained them ever since. He became the league secretary in the 1980s on an initial trial basis and remains there 37 years later.

"I've been sending the reports to the local paper since 1983," he said. "They also now appear on the website.

"Teams would post their scorecards over and I'd end up producing handwritten reports at the start.

"Nowadays, along with recording my team's averages, it only takes up about an hour and a half each week.

"I'm all ready to restart again when it's safe to do so."

The Bath Municipal League website can be found here: their site