Village cricket under threat amid player shortage

Chairman Colin Searle described the club's setting as "stunning"

A Dorset village could lose its cricket club unless it can find more regular players.

Cheselbourne Cricket Club said a number of its "old dependables" had left and, without anyone to replace them, the club was "in serious jeopardy".

Founded in the early 1980s, Cheselbourne plays in Division 4 of the Dorset Saturday League.

The club is supported by numerous volunteers and has recently had a new pitch laid.

Club chairman Colin Searle said: "Losing the club would be a sad loss to that community and, once gone, is unlikely ever to recover.

"Whilst we have a wide range of occasional players, this year has seen some of our old dependables hang up their boots and, if we cannot fill that gap, the future of the club is in serious jeopardy."

Mr Searle said the ground - nestled in a valley between Cheselbourne and Melcombe Bingham - was "a stunning place to play cricket".

"We've got a tight-knit community. So many players and ex-players have put their hands in their pockets to enable the ground to keep going," he said.

"Volunteers do all the mowing and upkeep of the ground and the pavilion.

"We've saved up all the funds we've raised to have a new pitch laid this year."

Anyone interested in joining the team is urged to get in touch.

Mr Searle added: "I can guarantee the teas are home-made and legendary.

"We recently had a visit from Weymouth Cricket Club and they sent us a special message about the quality of our teas."