EARBY Cricket Club has been left searching for a new professional with just weeks to go to start of the new season.

Members of the Ribblesdale League club were told this week that Mohammed Ayub, the club's paid player for over two seasons, had been refused a permit to work in the country.

"It is very frustrating for all concerned, Ayub is a first class player and was a favourite with everyone at the club. Last season he scored almost 1,000 runs and will be very hard to replace," said club spokesman John Heald.

Plans for the season were being finalised when Home Office immigration officials refused an application for a work permit because the 26-year-old had not played enough first class games in Pakistan.

After returning home at the end of last summer he played in his first game and scored 66, but suffered a blow on the elbow and was out of action for most of the season. Although he has returned to fitness and is now playing one-day games, officials say they do not meet immigration rules.

"We are now searching for a new professional and we are terribly disappointed for Ayub because we know he was looking forward to returning to the area," added Heald.