Bishop Auckland cricket club is celebrating its 150th anniversary next year with several special events.

There will be a match against a Durham County XI, an anniversary dinner, attended by the athe Bishop of Durham and a party for all club members. The traditional friendly challenge matches between the club and Bishop Auckland golf club, at both golf and cricket, will be revived during the year.

At the weekend, the club held a Sri Lankan evening and a sponsored walk for club funds.

Supporters have had something to celebrate this year with the 1st Xl gaining promotion back to the premier division of the North Yorkshire and South Durham League after being relegated for the first time in their history last year.

After sharing the Kingsway ground with the town's football club for over a century, Bishop Auckland CC will soon be in sole possession. The football end of Kingsway will be sold off and the remaining cricket ground fully enclosed to enable it to develop further.

Cricket club chairman Keith Hopper, said: "This is a milestone for Bishop Auckland cricket club, and a major achievement for a club of our standing."