A SUCCESSFUL cricket club is seeking to expand its provision for spectators.

Darwen Cricket Club has applied for planning permission to add an extension with covered seating to its Birch Hall ground on Mostyn Street.

Originally founded as Darwen Etrurians Cricket Club in 1901 it plays in the Lancashire League.

The proposal has been backed by Darwen Councillors of all political parties.

Its application to Blackburn with Darwen Council proposes 'a single storey extension to the front of the club house to create additional seating and covered terrace for members'.

The club is currently top of the JW Lees senior division 1.

In 2016 its pavilion underwent a £10,000 make over.

Lancashire Telegraph: An artist's drawings of how the developed clubhouse would lookAn artist's drawings of how the developed clubhouse would look

It is part of the Darwen Town Deal's plans for a £4.6m for a new East Lancashire Sports Village with AFC Darwen and Junction4 Skatepark.

Darwen East Liberal Democrat Cllr Paul Browne said: "I am all in favour of this.

"I am a keen cricket fan myself.

"If its going to pull more people into the club and make it more comfortable I am in favour.

"The cricket club is an important part of Darwen and involved in the Town Deal sports village project.

"It's also a popular venue to wedding and functions.

"Anything which improves if facilities I will 100 per cent support."

Darwen West Labour councillor Brian Taylor said: "I am all in favour of this.

"If it helps the club commercially I definitely support it.

"Darwen cricket club punches above its weight in the Lancashire League.

"It is an important part of the Darwen Community and promotes the town across Lancashire and beyond.

"Anything which helps the club I am in favour of. Good luck to them."

Darwen South Conservative Cllr Kevin Connor said: "This would be good.

"The cricket club do very well for a small town.

"I would be in favour of an expansion of the club house which would help especially with the finances for sure.

"The fact they are considering an extension shows how successful they are.

"I think this would be a good move and I am in favour of it."

The club declined to comment while its application is going through the planning process.