THE country's first sporting academy to specialise in women's cricket has been launched in the North-East.

The move follows England's Ashes victory over Australia, which helped make cricket the nation's fastest growing sport.

Former England women's cricket star Clare Taylor has agreed to be course ambassador at the County Durham academy.

She made more than 100 appearances for her country and received a World Cup winners' medal, as well as an MBE for her services to women's cricket.

Durham County Women's Cricket Academy is part of East Durham and Houghall Community College's student-athlete programme, designed to combine sport and education to maximise student potential.

It has teamed up with Durham County Cricket Club, and the scheme was unveiled at Durham's Riverside Stadium, in Chester-le-Street, yesterday.

David Harker, chief executive of the county cricket club, said: "Women's cricket has been going from strength to strength and to have a national academy on our doorstep is great for the region and for those young women who have aspirations to be the next Clare Taylor."

Throughout the summer, 20 girls will be recruited to the academy for a full-time programme of cricket coaching and further education, such as A-levels and vocational courses, starting in September.

The education element of the academy will be provided by East Durham and Houghall Community College, whose pioneering work has secured it a position as one of the country's top sporting colleges.

Principal Ian Prescott said: "The college has a long-standing record in bringing sport and education together to improve participation and achievement.

"We see women's cricket as a logical addition to our portfolio."

The initiative has received the backing of County Durham Learning and Skills Council (LSC), which sees major benefits in linking sport and education as a way of increasing the number of school leavers moving into formal education.

LSC chairman James Ramsbotham said: "County Durham LCS is strategically committed to increasing the number of young people who participate in education and training and our support for the Women's Cricket Academy reflects our view that new and innovative programmes must be encouraged.