TOUGH new child protection regulations are being blamed for a village cricket club having to abandon its junior teams.

This weekend, for the first time in nearly 20 years, Barningham Cricket Club, in Teesdale, County Durham, will begin the cricket season without fielding any junior sides.

The previous season, the club fielded three junior teams and was one of the only clubs in the district that wanted to field an under-17s team.

In February, Barningham officials told The Northern Echo that the English Cricket Board's (ECB) new Safe Hands policy was putting adults off becoming involved in junior cricket.

William Wilkinson, 67, who coached the junior teams, said he resigned from his position as club secretary - which he had held for 32 years - because of the rules and regulations being introduced in cricket.

He said the child welfare regulations were unworkable and, because of the burdens imposed by the legislation, nobody at the club was willing to work with junior teams.

Mr Wilkinson said: "It's a real shame, as it is the kids that are losing out. The cricket gives them a purpose and they could end up vandalising things otherwise.

"Possibly some of the juniors might play in the senior side, but, apart from that, there's going to be no junior cricket.

"Hopefully, some of the senior players now might want to get involved, or parents might take it up. I'm 67 and it's too much for me at my age.

"But I don't know about these new rules - they've certainly put us off."

Under the Safe Hands policy, clubs must appoint a child welfare officer, who must undergo two three-hour courses.

Also, all adults who have contact with children must have Criminal Record Bureau checks.

All clubs affiliated to the ECB must implement the policies.

John Crockatt, child welfare officer for Durham Cricket Board, said that as well as protecting children, the legislation was there as an insurance policy for the clubs.

He said: "If you are taking out an insurance policy, you want one that covers everything.

"You wouldn't let a babysitter come into your house without checking them out first, it's the same with people who are going to be working with children in cricket.

"Barningham are the only cricket club in the area that are taking this stance. I can't understand the club's attitude.

"The guidelines are there for clubs to adopt and adapt, as not every club will be the same. They are there to be seen and there's nothing complicated about them."