NORTH West Cricket fans are set to watch their favourite sport in full colour this summer thanks to a leading Lancashire brewery.

Brewery, Daniel Thwaites, are backing the introduction of coloured clothing for the prestigious Northern Premier Cricket League Cup.

The 12 participating clubs of the Northern League will so become the first amateur cricket organisation in the UK to adopt the revolutionary coloured kit.

In partnership with national sports clothing manufacturers Surridge UK, Thwaites, who already sponsor the NPC League Cup, are looking forward to the 2003 knockout.

Brian Jenkins, sales director for Daniel Thwaites, said: "This is a 'first' for a cricket league nationally and further underpins Thwaites' commitment to grass roots sport. It provides an exciting innovation for the Northern League and its clubs and we are proud to be helping to spearhead the initiative."

Ben Ward, of Leyland and Farington Cricket Club, modelled the first batch of coloured kit at a pre-launch, staged at the Fox Lane club recently.

He said: "I think the shirts and sweaters look great, they are comfortable and smart at the same time. It's a really progressive move for the league."

Former Lancashire Cricket Club star Steve O'Shaughnessy, marketing manager of sports manufacturers Surridge UK, said: "We at Surridge UK are glad to be associated with Daniel Thwaites Brewery sponsorship of the Northern League and applaud their initiative. This can only raise the profile of league cricket."

The 12 clubs involved in the Thwaites Northern Premier Cricket League Cup are Blackpool, Chorley, Darwen, Fleetwood, Kendal, Lancaster, Leyland, Leyland Motors, Morecambe, Netherfield, Preston, St Annes

Picture caption

L to R Christine Robinson of Daniel Thwaites and Ben Ward of Leyland and Farington Cricket Club try out the new kit for size.