A MAJOR public meeting on the future of Burnley Cricket Club and its plans to take over Fulledge Recreation Ground will take place next week, cricket bosses revealed today.

Scores of people are expected at the first public presentation of the club's multi-million pounds plan -- from members supporting the scheme, to residents who have voiced strong opposition to the sale of the council-owned recreation ground near their homes.

Club spokesman John Heys said the club's architects would be on hand to detail the proposals to move from its Turf Moor home and build a new ground and pavilion on the present fairground site.

Councillors and town hall officers will also be at the meeting, in the Thompson Centre at 7.30pm on Monday, he added.

Mr Heys said the venue for the meeting had been changed from the proposed Mechanics to the Thompson Centre because it provided better access.

He added the meeting would also involve a question and answer session when all aspects of he proposals could be discussed.

The overall scheme, estimated to cost around £10million would see Burnley FC taking over the neighbouring cricket ground to allow it to extend a stand and for commercial development which could include a new hotel.

The soccer club would pay all costs associated with the provision of a new cricket ground at Fulledge and would also make a large lump sum payment to the cricket club to secure its future. Cricket club chiefs have warned that if the scheme does not get the go-ahead, they face a bleak financial future.

Residents opposed to the plan say the project would swallow up open land near their homes and are urging the council not to sell the site.