PROMISING young cricketers could soon be taught by a young Hutton Rudby woman, who is the only girl on a regional coaching-course run by the English Cricket Board.

Charlotte Allen, 24, is being sponsored by Hutton Rudby and Durham County cricket clubs, and her training takes place at Ormesby.

The 24-year-old, of Doctor's Lane, discovered she liked cricket after working with children during a Durham CCC match this summer. She was offered the opportunity to receive coaching training and has recently gained a level one award.

She hopes to develop her skills further and is encouraging more girls to get into the game.

Miss Allen works at the Bay Horse pub in Hutton Rudby but has also worked with children.

"I was asked to look after kids at a Durham match by a friend, James Bailey. His father, John, lives in Hutton Rudby but is connected to Durham County Cricket Club.

"I went up to Chester-le-Street and helped with various children's activities, included speed-cricket. It was fantastic. The kids were great and I really enjoyed it. I was jumping and cheering like a football fan!"

Speaking about the coaching course, she said: "I'm the only girl in my group. Our sessions are quite intense but we have a good laugh.

"Some people think girls and football or cricket don't go together, but that view's old-fashioned. Doesn't Stokesley Cricket Club have a ladies' team?"

Her brother, Tom, 20, plays cricket for Hutton Rudby and friend Phil Rammage, of Stokesley, plays for Guisborough.

"I've asked Phil for tips and have practised with him," said Miss Allen, also a Middlesbrough football fan.

After leaving Stokesley School, she worked at Teesside Tertiary College and for a Stokesley training management firm. She joined the Bay Horse three years ago.

In a few weeks' time, she travels to France to work at a ski resort. She had a skiing holiday in the Alps with Bay Horse managers Jill Butterworth and Kevin Helm earlier this year.