A CRICKET club is on a mission to raise £10,000 to improve facilities and develop the young players of tomorrow.

Low Moor Holy Trinity Cricket Club, based at Park House Road, Low Moor, has now launched a fundraising page to help realise its dream of an all-weather facility.

The page has only been live for a matter of days, but donations are already pouring in from well-wishers showing their support.

The club was established in 1894 and has now reached a "critical" point in terms of its youth development.

Secretary Martin Jenkins said: "We are currently seeing significant growth in terms of junior development and in order so sustain this, we must improve our offer to young boys and girls.

"The first step is the creation of an all-weather cricket facility that will provide opportunities for more than 500 children per season, to use the new training facility and remain engaged in cricket.

"We already run free sessions for all the local primary schools and have significant backing from the schools for this venture.

"This will not only be a cricket development, but a facility that promotes better access for under-represented residents.

"Our whole approach to cricket and our club's mission is to provide access for all, irrespective of gender, background, religion or ability."

An England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) approved all-weather facility costs around £25,000.

The club hopes it will be able to attract some funding, but so far has been unsuccessful, so has turned to community fundraising in a bid to get the ball rolling.

Mr Jenkins said the club has doubled its ECB-qualified coaching numbers to cope with the swell of interest and it will also double the number of sides offered by the start of the 2018 season.

He described the all-weather facility as the "missing piece of the jigsaw".

"We are desperate for local businesses to support our quest," Mr Jenkins added.

"This will be a community facility, where all schools can utilise the ground. We want to open up the facilities to other community groups and share provision, to support community cohesion."

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/low-moor-cc

On August 27, the club will host its annual 'Village Challenge Day', where local pubs, businesses and community groups are invited to enter a team of eight to play fun, non-competitive cricket. Email martinjenkins11@icloud.com for more information.