Thousands of bowls fans will flock to Sussex when an international tournament is held in the South for the first time.

The first World Bowls Tour event to be staged in the South of England – featuring the world’s leading indoor bowlers – will take place at the Olympos Centre in Burgess Hill.

The week-long tournament, which starts on Sunday, is expected to bring more than £1 million into the town’s economy.

Bowls enthusiasts from across the world will descend on the town, providing a timely boost to the area’s hotels and tourism industry.

Organisers believe the event could bring in an extra £1 million in business – a similar amount as is generated by the sport for the local economy in Worthing each year.

Mid Sussex District Council chairman Margaret Hersey said: “We are delighted that the World Bowls Tour is bringing the International Open to Burgess Hill. It’s a real honour for us all.

“The Olympos Burgess Hill has hosted a number of major sports events, but this will be our first bowls championship.

“We are really looking forward to the event putting Burgess Hill on the sporting map around the world.”

With live coverage on BBC, the event will feature the top 16 bowlers in the world, joined by qualifiers from the UK, Australia, South Africa, USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel and New Zealand.

England captain Andy Thomson, one of the leading players on the World Bowls Tour, visited the venue in Triangle Way last week to launch the event.

He said: “It’s great that the International Open is coming to a venue in the South – it’s where I play my bowls and I know many bowlers in the region.

“It’s a great area for bowls. It’s one of the biggest in the country. There are many indoor bowls centres within 45 minutes of here.”

Outdoor bowls events have long been held in Sussex, as the prestigious open men’s and women’s bowls tournaments have been held in Worthing for 75 years.

For ticket details for the Burgess Hill event call 01444 876060.