A CRICKET club has been given crucial funding to help coach its younger players.

Willington Cricket Club was awarded an £800 grant by the English Cricket Board yesterday to provide new equipment for youngsters.

The club holds regular coaching sessions and can now provide equipment for children as young as six following the Long Term Athletic Development grant.

Darren Brown, Wear Valley District Council's cricket development officer, said: "It will allow us to coach youngsters from six to nine years old, using big stumps, as well as the age groups we already coach."

The grant was presented at the cricket club yesterday at one of the coaching sessions that the club is running over the school summer holidays.

Courses take place every Friday, from 10am to noon, until the new term starts