BACUP Cricket Club is celebrating ahead of unveiling its new training facilities for its ‘thriving’ youth section.

Club officials set out last year to to combat a lack of practice space at Lanehead Lane by installing new nets at the ground.

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Committee member Graham Naylor said the new wickets were ‘vital’ to ensure the club’s five junior teams could continue to succeed.

Following a rejected application to Sport England in 2014 the club regrouped and submitted a further proposal earlier this year.

The grant application for £44,000 was accepted by the organisation shortly before the general election and the nets were installed last month.

Now Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry will officially open the new training facilities on Saturday alongside players and supporters.

The club’s youth section was overhauled in 2011 with the aim of providing more players for its senior teams but practices had to be abandoned if there had been bad weather or a match on at the same time.

More than 100 youngsters represent the club’s youth section every week, with many making the step into the third XI.

Mr Naylor said: “These new nets will make a massive difference to the club and everybody is thrilled to finally have them.

“It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this point and it’s something that you never think is going to happen.

“The application process to get the money is very long-winded and you have to submit a lot of information which makes things quite complicated.

“The whole process has taken almost 18 months and it’s great that we have got here.

“The nets will allow the players to train when there has been bad weather and they can’t use a grass wicket and while a match is on as well.

“Previously we have not been able to do those things and that has cut short how many times people can train.”

Mr Berry said: “I’m really pleased to support the club and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to open these new nets.

“It’s great that this application means that the future of Bacup Cricket Club is secure.”