AN Aire Valley cricket coach has started a company devoted to keeping alive the dying art of hand-producing cricket bats .

Jeff Wilson has launched Silsden-based Viking Cricket which uses top English willow from Suffolk to craft bats for adults and juniors.

He said: “Over the years we have seen the art of making hand-produced cricket bats decline in favour of machined products and that’s a concern.

“There is a massive importation of cheap, imitation products from overseas, using poor-quality wood. It is given a veneer to make it look more expensive, but the bat cracks in no time.

“We want to maintain the tradition of English bat-making.”

Mr Wilson, 53, who started playing cricket aged six, hopes eventually to take on apprentices to be trained in the craft.

Viking makes bespoke bats to individuals’ needs, but also has an off-the-shelf range with a stock of around 400 bats.

“The business is predominantly web-based, but people can come along to our premises and choose the bat they want or have a product made tailored to them.

“Customers need to get a feel of the bat – it’s about the weight and the distribution.

“The bigger brands simply aren’t interested in that kind of service.

“All our bats, bespoke or otherwise, are properly hand crafted using quality wood,” said Mr Wilson, who looks after the marketing and sales side of the business, while a partner produces the bats.

“We have had plenty of experience over the years between us and feel we can help keep the proud traditions of cricket bat making in Yorkshire alive for the next generations,” Mr Wilson added.