A RIBBLE Valley sports club has officially unveiled its new-look clubhouse after a £4,000 revamp.

Clitheroe Cricket Club began work on its function room and bar at the start of February after a series of fundraising activities drummed up enough cash to give the scheme the green light.

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The Ribblesdale League club, which won the title last summer, refurbished its changing rooms recently and is also considering extending them to provide separate male and female facilities.

This latest phase of development at the club in Chatburn Road formed part of a longer-term scheme which has been in the planing for more than three years.

The club, which boasts around 300 members, has seen volunteers give up their time to raise the necessary money to get the development off the ground.

Central to the fundraising campaign was a 110-mile walk by three friends who set off to follow in the footsteps of cricket legend Ian Botham.

The five-day trek around all 17 Ribblesdale League grounds was the idea of first-team manager Mick Houldsworth. He was joined by skipper Paul Gaskill and third-team captain Robert Dinsdale.

The trio hope to raise more than £3,000 for the project, with some of the total set to be put aside for other schemes.

Club chairman Amanda Hall said: “The new clubhouse will make a massive difference to the club and the community.

“I think the people who have not been here while the work has been going on will be shocked by the scale of the transformation.

“We are hoping that this work will lead to more people and groups booking the space for events which will help make the club more sustainable and efficient.

“This has been a long-term aim for the club and it is great that we have finally been able to finish it. Improvements to the bar have been made, and new blinds and a new ceiling have been installed.

“We have also had new tiling done as well as new doors put in. New wallpaper has been put up.”

Clitheroe Town Council leader Mary Robinson said: “The club has been brilliant in raising the money needed for the project.

“The new-look clubhouse will be a great asset to the club and to the community as a whole and can be used a lot more for functions and events.

“The way that the club’s members have come together to help with the labouring and in raising the money is a great example of community spirit.