TRADERS have rallied to the cause as a market town gears up to take the international sporting stage next week.

Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside ground, at Chester-le-Street, hosts two international one-day cricket matches over the weekend of July 15/16, featuring England, the West Indies and Zimbabwe.

Extra seating has been installed by the club for the showpiece matches and a Riverside record 15,000 sell-out crowd is guaranteed for the England v West Indies game, on the Saturday.

The county club is taking the opportunity of the prestige fixtures to rouse support locally in Chester-le-Street.

Businesses in the town have signed up to take part in a Spot the Ball contest, staged to raise funds for the county's benefit year appeal.

As there are no player beneficiaries this summer, Durham CCC has awarded itself a "benefit year" to help pay off outstanding money towards the cost of the £5m ground development.

A total of 58 businesses in Front Street, the Market Place and St Cuthbert's Walk, will take part, each displaying a numbered coloured ball in their window.

Members of the public are challenged to tour the town centre to match up the number of ball and colour against each of the businesses listed on the entry form.

Prizes are worth £100, £50 and £25 for the best three entries, with the most correct answers.

Entry forms are carried in this week's edition of the Chester-le-Street Advertiser, or are available from the club shop at the Riverside.

The competition runs from Saturday and completed forms must be returned by July 15, the day of the England v West Indies game, to competition organiser, John Shaw, at 23 Longdean Park, Chester-le-Street, DH3 4DF, or left at the club shop at the Riverside Ground.