A CAMPAIGN to create first class training facilities for promising cricketers is up and running after more than £10,000 was pledged in the first few days.

Durham County Cricket Club launched an online Crowdfunder appeal to raise £50,000 to help deliver a new nursery training ground near The Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground in Chester-le-Street.

Within days, the First Class Futures campaign had passed £10,000, leaving the club well on track to reach its target, which will be added to £100,000 corporate support to begin work on the facility.

The new facility will be used by young boys and girls, as well as women cricketers, to hone their skills in a professional standard ground.

David Harker, chief executive of Durham County Cricket Club, said that the early interest that Crowdfunder had enjoyed was a great boost to the campaign and he hoped that the rate of support would continue.

He said: "We really do believe that a nursery ground would transform the lives of young people right across the North East, giving them a fantastic playing field to use to hone their skills and grow in confidence and ability.

"Currently young people, and women in particular, can really struggle to find the space needed to practice at the sport they love.

“More than most sports, cricket relies on having a large amount of space - particularly as much of the training needed to improve involves scenario planning.

"Having a dedicated training facility so close to the current ground would create a fantastic environment from where we could further our community engagement work.

“We're already working with more than 3,000 youngsters from as far North as Woolsington and as far south as Barnard Castle, each and every year. This nursery ground would be a huge step forward in allowing us to really enhance their experience."

To make a donation visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/first-class-futures or send a cheque, made out to Durham County Cricket Club Foundation, to First Class Futures, Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground, Riverside, Chester-le-Street, County Durham. DH3 3QR.