NEW Zealand star Chris Cairns will not be returning to Bacup in 2007.

The Kiwi legend, who took the Lanehead side to the brink of the Lancashire League title last season only to be pipped at the last by Burnley, won't be returning to Bacup because of business reasons.

After a slow start to life in the league, Cairns soon proved his worth taking 87 wickets and scoring 953 runs, which included a superb 144 not out against Haslingden.

So Bacup will be looking for a new paid man before the season starts in April.