A HISTORIC cricket club is under threat after the ownership of their ground changed hands.

Stacksteads Cricket Club has been playing on Waterbarn Recreation Ground for 104 years and in 1990 owners Waterbarn Baptist Church agreed that it could exclusively use the ground for its league games.

But the church has now sold the ground to developer Geoffrey Fielding-Bell, who has not yet given safeguards for the cricket club's future.

The Ribblesdale League Club is hoping that cricket will continue at the ground, which is off Brandwood Road.

Matt Hussey, secretary of the 50-strong club, said: "The cricket club is hoping to find a sensible way forward with Mr Fielding-Bell, but has to plan for the worst.

It would be a tragedy if one of the five established league cricket grounds in the Valley were lost."

Mr Fielding-Bell has told the church he plans to use the site for community facilities.

Reverend David Livermore, of Waterbarn Baptist Church which now uses school buildings at the back of the old chapel for services, said he was saddened to see the disagreement between the new owners and Stacksteads Cricket Club.

He said: "The motivation behind the change of ownership has always been a desire to keep in the area a facility available for the good of the local community.

"The plan for the recreation ground, as we understand it, is to develop its use for other activities including cricket.

"Our hope is that the site can still be used as an amenity for the whole community, including Stacksteads Cricket Club."

Coun Fred Lynskey, who represents the Stacksteads ward, said for as long as he could remember the site had been used as a playing field and a public amenity.

He said: "I think it should remain as it is.

"There are few pieces of land in Stacksteads which are playable and I would be sad to lose another amenity."

Mr Fielding-Bell was unavailable for comment.