PLANS for a new pavilion at Denholme Cricket club were dashed this week -- when Sport england pulled the plug on a £54,000 grant.

The club had been working on a scheme to build a new HQ fit for the 21st century and other organisations in the district were also going to benefit.

"It had been designed so that it could be a true community building capable of being used by all kinds of other organisations," said secretary Phil Poole.

But the club's hopes were finally dashed this week when Sport England announced that the grant would be given because of a cash crisis caused by failling interest in the National Lottery.

The organisation, formerly known as the Sports Council, has cut its staff from 570 to 240 since December and has also introduced a new national structure.

"It has not come as a complete surprise because Sport Engalnd have kept moving the goalposts throughout the three or four years our President has been working on the plans. The costs had also escalated from about £80,000 to almost £170,000 because of their demands, now we will just have to go back to the drawing board," Phil Poole said.

The club now aims to carry out renovations to their present buildings.

"It has been very frustrating and the club has been involved in some expense in getting planning permission and other costs involved with the application."

Sport England chief executive Roger Draper said: "We had given a commitment to these projects and we do not underestimate the disappointment some applicants will feel."

n On Sunday Glusburn Cricket Club is to hold the official opening of its new £200,000 pavilion which was built with the help of a £194,000 Lottery grant.