A TOWN sports club started the new cricket season in style at the weekend when it held its first match in a refurbished ground.

Willington Cricket Club began the 2004 campaign only 24 hours after the ground was re-opened after a £300,000 transformation.

Durham County Cricket Club life vice-president Don Robson, a former county council leader, reopened the ground on Friday.

Mr Robson, who steered Durham to First Class status and into the new ground during his 11 years at the helm, said he was impressed with the new facilities and believes they will help the club and town for future generations.

The club, one of a number of focus clubs for Durham County Cricket Club, was able to carry out improvements thanks to a Sport England Lottery Grant of £339,000.

Karl Brown, a project co-ordinator, said: "All the club members are delighted that we have been awarded this money which is a major boost both to the club and the communities of Willington and Wear Valley."

The grant was used to build a pavilion and extra outdoor cricket training areas, changing rooms with showers and a community social room.

The whole community is expected to benefit from the pavilion as extra coaching sessions will be provided for children and local groups can hire the club house for meetings and social gatherings.

Judith Rasmussen, regional director of Sport England, said: "We are pleased to be able to help Willington Cricket Club with its facelift.

"They already have a fantastic member base with active senior, junior and female teams and I am sure the facilities will attract new members as well as being a meeting place for the community."

The project also received funding from the Durham Foundation, Wear Valley District Council, Lord's Taverners, the England and Wales Cricket Board and Sport England's Awards for All fund.

Willington Cricket Club is one of only a small number of clubs in the North-East to secure Sport England Clubmark status, identifying them as providing a commitment to being a safe, effective, child friendly sports club.