LANCASHIRE's revived youth policy has received a huge boost with the news that they have been given a licence to run one of English Cricket's Academies at Old Trafford.

It means they have finally caught up with Yorkshire, who blazed the trail by setting up the first Academy in England five years ago and have reaped the reward with so many young players helping them to last summer's County Championship.

Lancashire have been widely criticised for neglecting their youth policy in recent years, forcing them to look outside the county to sign players such as Joe Scuderi, Ryan Driver, Tim Roberts, Alec Swann, John Wood and David Byas.

They also missed out when the England and Wales Cricket Board set up six Centres of Excellence before last season, with smaller counties such as Northamptonshire recognised instead.

Lancashire stepped up their efforts with the appointment of Mike Watkinson as the club's first full-time cricket manager, and he is delighted that their application has been accepted.

"It's a tremendous step forward for developing youth cricket in this region," he said.

"Only four counties have been granted academy status from a list of ten bidders in the current intake and we are thrilled to have been selected.

"Bringing in players from other counties should be a luxury, not a necessity. A big part of my job is making sure we develop our own players."

Kyle Hogg has already answered some of the critics of Lancashire's youth policy this season, establishing himself as a first-team regular in both Championship and one-day cricket.

Burnley paceman James Anderson is also knocking on the door while Lancashire have a group of talented teenagers on scholarships who are set to become the first intake for the Old Trafford Academy - which will be based at the indoor school.

They receive a grant of £50,000 from Sport England after being granted Academy status, and it will be set up by September.

Meanwhile Jason Gallian returned to Old Trafford today as Notts skipper in a crucial Benson and Hedges Cup group match.

Yorkshire moved level with Leicestershire at the top of the northern group, three points ahead of Lancashire, by thrashing Durham at the Riverside yesterday.