LANCASHIRE League clubs have voted to press ahead with plans to expand the league for the start of 2017.

The proposals to add 10 teams to the competition had been dealt a blow when the Lancashire Cricket Board (LCB) came out in opposition of the league's plans.

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But the 14 current league member clubs met at Haslingden on Wednesday and decided to carry on with the expansion.

Lancashire League chairman Mike Bibby said the clubs 'voted overwhelmingly' to continue, and the Lancashire Telegraph understands the outcome of the vote was 12-2 in favour.

The LCB have now been informed that the league is continuing to interview with clubs, with eight of the 16 who applied spoken too so far, with a view to expanding in time for the start of the 2017 season.

"We're now awaiting their reply. The ball is back in their court," Mr Bibby said of the LCB.

"Every club we've spoken too so far is still keen on joining the Lancashire League.

"That's positive, but who knows behind the scenes what somebody else is thinking.

"You've got to take things with a bit of a pinch of salt. All the clubs who have applied have every right to change their mind if they wish."

The LCB unveiled two proposals of their own last month, which which could see the Northern League, Lancashire League, Ribblesdale League and Palace Shield merge into one structure.

But Lancashire League members want to press ahead with their own plan, and also keep the title of the league the same.

"We want to move things along. Any clubs wishing to join have to make the decision and then they have to resign from their own league by June 30, so that they can be in a position to be Lancashire League members from 2017 onwards," said Mr Bibby.

"It's like anything, you prefer to know early and then you can plan. A lot of discussion will have to take place, but discussions have been going on since July.

"I think the LCB will call another meeting of all four leagues and it will get thrashed out around the table again."

If the LCB once again come back to the league in opposition of the expansion, Mr Bibby said: "We'll put it back to our clubs what we want to do then, whether we fight them or not.

"But we don't want to get to that situation, because it could affect clubs quite seriously."

Met at Haslingden Voted overwhelmingly No Cumbrian clubs, league remain as Lancashire League "We are still continuing with our interviews for the clubs who have applied. We had two more last night so we're now up to eight.