AXMINSTER Cricket Club has received a grant of over £50,000 to develop its facilities.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) donated £54,162 to the club on the strength of its junior development programme.

The money, provided by the Government's £9.4m Community Club Development programme, has provided a new pitch square that will greatly boost the club's playing opportunities, particularly at junior level.

Philip Spong, club committee member and project manager, said: "The club is delighted that its efforts on fostering the development of young cricketers has been recognised by the ECB and is truly grateful for the generous grant as an investment in the future of the club.

"The new pitch square has been laid to a high specification and will provide a further quality area to enable the club to develop not only the young players but also establish the recently formed ladies'/girls' section.