SPORTING father and son Sir Ian and Liam Botham hope to raise the roof with an appearance at an outdoor screening of an upcoming British Lions test match.

The famous duo have agreed to host the event on July 31 in the grounds of Thorp Perrow to fund repair work to the roof of what is the oldest squash court in Yorkshire and possibly the country.

With a hog roast and real ale bar providing refreshments, the Bothams will discuss their sporting careers, answer questions from the audience and offer some Lions pre-match commentary.

The action will then switch to Johannesburg with a live big-screen showing of the second Lions v Springboks test match starting at 5pm.

It’s 40 years since Sir Ian’s swashbuckling batting routed the Aussies at Headingly, setting England on course for a memorable Ashes victory and helping cement his place amongst England’s cricketing greats.

Liam Botham also started off his sporting career as a cricketer but then switched to the oval ball and played professional in both codes of rugby. He was part of the England squad that toured South Africa under Sir Clive Woodward in 2000.

The squash court at Thorp Perrow has been established as the oldest in the county having been there at the time the 85-acre estate near Bedale was purchased in 1927 by current owners, the Ropner family.

As well as a famed arboretum and gardens, the estate is also home to a squash club which competes in the North Yorkshire Squash league playing on what is reputedly the oldest court in Britain that still hosts competitive league fixtures.

Thorp Perrow squash captain David Trewhitt said: “If squash is to continue at Thorp Perrow then roof repairs are vital and we are grateful to Sir Henry Ropner for hosting this event in his grounds and to Sir Ian and Liam for their support of what promises to be a memorable evening.”

Tickets can be booked by visiting the events page at www.thorpperrow.com with proceeds going towards repair of the squash court roof and Sir Ian’s children’s charity.