THE Lancashire Cricket Board (LCB) plan to meet Lancashire League officials to discuss plans for expansion after 18 sides from three separate leagues applied to join the league for 2017.

The Lancashire League plan to expand from 14 to 24 clubs for 2017 and introduce a two division system including promotion and relegation from 2018.

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But with 10 Northern League clubs and seven Ribblesdale League sides applying for the move it has created fears that one or both of those leagues could come under threat.

But LCB Clubs & Leagues Manager Paul Bryson insists the hope is to preserve cricket in the area.

He said: “We plan to meet the Lancashire League very soon to discuss the proposals based on the fact that the deadline for applications has now passed.

“We have been in constant communication with the other three leagues affected and those other leagues are aware that we want to meet the Lancashire League.

“We don’t want any leagues going out of business.”

The LCB cannot dictate which clubs play in which league but they do want to protect the leagues which could be affected.

Lancashire League chairman Mike Bibby confirmed that they would meet LCB officials.

He said: “The agreement was that once all the applications have been made then we would have a meeting with the LCB to keep them updated.

“They have asked for a meeting and we will be seeing them at some point in the next week or two.

“The aim when we set out with this expansion plan was not to decimate any other leagues.”

Meanwhile, Bibby confirmed that league chiefs are in the process of visiting the grounds of those clubs who have applied before interviews will also take place.

The clubs who have applied to join the Lancashire League are Ribblesdale League clubs Clitheroe, Great Harwood, Baxenden, Whalley, Barnoldswick, Settle and Salesbury along with Northern League sides Darwen, Leyland, Chorley, St Annes, Blackpool, Morecambe, Fleetwood, Lancaster, Netherfield and Preston. Garstang, from the Palace Shield, also applied.