A BABY has become the youngest member of Durham County Cricket Club.

Seven-month-old Paul Harrison Thompson is the youngest member of the club's Junior Lions.

Parents Dave and Julie hope that by introducing him to the sport early, he may follow in the footsteps of stars Paul Collingwood and Steve Harmison.

Julie said: "We have always loved our cricket and it was a natural step to introduce Paul to Durham, although I never really thought we would do it so early.

"You never know, he could end up being Durham's youngest player in a few years' time."

The cricket season starts in earnest later this month and the family will be regulars at the Riverside ground, in Chester-le-Street.

The club is on a high following the success of home-produced players Collingwood and Harmison with the national team.

Harmison has helped England's success in the West Indies, taking 22 wickets in the three winnings tests so far, taking him to third in the world's best-bowler rankings.

The club's commercial manager, Gordon Hollins, said: "Cricket is attracting an increasingly younger audience, although Paul is certainly at the lower end of that age range.

"By attracting members from a whole range of ages it will only add to the family tradition of cricket."