'Walking cricket has changed my life'

The players meet for coffee and cake after their Friday fixtures at Bexhill Leisure Centre.

A group of over-50's walking cricket players say the sport is helping with their physical and mental health issues.

Bexhill Walking Cricket Club meet every Friday for an indoor match of the sport, which is played with a soft ball at a walking pace.

Players range from people in their early 60s to mid 80s.

"We've got people who have lost huge amounts of weight, and players with dementia and just some who have expanded their social circle," says chairman Laurie Ray.

Andy Evans, who has prostate cancer, said the activity has helped him "mentally and physically".

He said he was "well overweight", and he had been told he needed to shed some pounds.

"It's changed my life now," he said.

"I'm quite lucky as (the cancer) is manageable now, but this has helped my health should I ever need an operation."

Andy Evans said the activity has changed his life

The club have faced other walking cricket clubs in the area, but Mr Ray says it's "about exercise more than results".

John Martin, aged 80, is one of the club's oldest players.

"I do walking football, table tennis and this. I just love all sports," he said.

"If more people did this, their health would be so much better."

Bexhill Walking Cricket Club meet on Friday's at 0930 at Bexhill Leisure Centre.