LANCASHIRE League cricketer Craig Smith has joined forces with two partners to launch a new accountancy firm.

Mr Smith, the second XI captain at Rishton Cricket Club, who has played for many years in the Foster’s Lancashire League, has joined ex-professional footballer Peter Whiston and Gavin Sturgess to launch Countrywide Accountancy Solutions.

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Formerly Alexander Gow accountants, Mr Smith said in line with the continued expansion and development of the company’s services, the partners will offer a combination of financial, legal and accountancy services, including wills and trusts, company accounts or financial advice.

Alexander Gow had been trading for 10 years serving clients across the areas of Blackburn and Lytham.

The new firm will continue to operate from the former Alexander Gow offices in Trident Park, Blackburn.

Mr Smith has been playing in the Lancashire League for most of the past 29 years, interspersed with spells in the Ribblesdale League, Bolton Association and Central Lancashire League, as both professional and amateur.

His 7,631 career league runs at an average of 29.46 place Craig alongside some of the best amateur players to have played in the league.

And despite his new venture, his continued energy and love for the game now see him developing young players of the future as second XI captain at Rishton.

Mr Smith said: “There have been times during my sporting career that I have considered offers from different parts of the country but I have always turned them down.

“I am a Lancashire lad born and bred and am proud to say that for all of my two careers I have been based in Lancashire. To be able to still enjoy my cricket after so many years is fabulous.

“That coupled with our new business venture makes it quite an exciting time for me.

“I am fortunate to have found business partners who have as much love for their specialist careers as me and to bring these three areas together, financial, legal and accountancy, means not only do we have a more unique business proposition but clients who will benefit too.”