CRICKET club members mounted a high-speed fundraising effort to keep a roof over their heads for the busy festive season.

With rain pouring through the clubhouse ceiling at Crook, Christmas could have been a washout for the Readers Durham County League side, which relies on bar takings and party bookings to keep afloat.

But in just three days, cricket club supporters Ed Thompson, Eddie Murphy and Frank Gibbon managed to secure a £4,300 grant and organised a contractor to carry out emergency repairs.

Helped by volunteer agency 2D and Wear Valley's Community Network, they persuaded County Durham Foundation to agree to fund the re-roofing of their function room, which is used by up to 18 organisations.

The trio were meeting with the Durham Cricket Board's cricket development officer, Nick Brown, in the room when the roof sprung at least ten leaks during a spell of torrential rain.

Mr Thompson said: "We realised we had a serious problem and we had to act quickly or the roof could have gone altogether.

"It was dangerous and could have meant us having to close down.

"It would have been a disaster, because this is the busiest time of the year for the clubhouse and we need the money to run the team.

"We got straight on to 2D, and County Durham Foundation agreed to give us the money the next day.

"The contractor worked on the following day, which was a Saturday, and everything was fixed in time for a party booked for the Sunday. It was fantastic. We can't thank them all enough.

"Fortunately, we already had plans in place to work on the roof, so we were able to contact the contractors, Brewards, straight away."

Wear Valley Sports Club development officer Nigel Douthwaite said: "Normally funding bodies are reluctant to give grants for maintenance work.

"However, Crook Cricket Club is a valuable resource to many local community groups, and this provided the basis for a successful application."