Cricket club bowled over by £10k cash windfall

Forton Cricket Club is hoping to redevelop its clubhouse

A village cricket club has received a £10,000 grant to help improve its facilities.

Forton Cricket Club in Staffordshire was awarded the funding by Stafford Borough Council, and it will be used to redevelop the clubhouse.

The 75-year-old club is hoping to turn it into a more family-friendly environment that can be used by the wider community.

The cash injection means that the improvements are expected to be completed in the spring.

Club secretary Ashley Gillum said: "This has allowed us to advance our long-term ambition to improve the accessibility of our facilities, which will bring immense benefit to our members, visitors and external users of the club."

The money distributed by Stafford Borough Council came from the government’s rural England prosperity fund.

Councillor Jill Hood said: “These cricket clubs are such an integral part of village life.

“They are more than just a sports venue - they often provide facilities for other groups and organisations and are a great place for the community to come together.”