More than 40 women throughout the district between the ages of 15 and around 60 have grouped together to take up cricket.

Bradford Park Avenue Ladies Cricket Club was started earlier this year by Kirsty Gavillet, who left the army in July where she was captain of the army ladies cricket team, and decided to see if there was any interest in the sport locally.

"The club at Park Avenue is for all women of all walks of life with a view to improving health as well as mental wellbeing.

"It has been really successful in getting people on board. We've over 40 women now with between 12 and 15 coming for training twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays.

"They are a mixture of doctors, councillors, cooks, physiotherapists, business women and some who work in the NHS.

"We particularly wanted to encourage South Asian women to come forward as while their husbands and male family members are mostly cricket fans and treat the sport as a second religion, many women have no involvement at all. Getting South Asian women involved is something the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) is encouraging

"Now we have a real mixture of all cultures and races who have joined which is terrific.

"We also an All Stars group for girls aged over five with the idea of introducing them to cricket to tap into young talent.

"We play soft ball at the moment and are looking to join a league so we can get to play teams from other areas. In January we're also going to introduce the hard ball game to those who want to venture into that."

Windhill and Shipley ward councillor Vanda Greenwood has also become a member as well as treasurer for the club.

"It is fantastic," she said. "It is the best fun ever, is great exercise and you get the chance to make new friends with people you may never have probably met."

To celebrate the inauguration of the club a launch is being held on December 13 along with a Christmas Party which will be held at Parkside Sports Centre, in Parkside Road, BD5.

It will be for the women and their families and will include, food, drink and music, with games for all ages and a visit from Father Christmas for the young ones.

The event is free and runs between 5.30pm and 8pm.

Anyone wanting to go along and join the new club or see what the training sessions involve can go along on Wednesdays, between 6pm and 7pm at Grange Interlink Community Centre, in Summerville Road, or on Sundays between 10.30am and 11.30am at Parkside Sports Centre.