IT'S the end of an era for the Burnley and District Cricket League who have been forced to disband since forming back in 1894.

Only two world wars have halted the 106-year-old league but lack of teams and umpires have forced officials to call it a day -- for the time being at least.

For the league will review the situation again in 12 months time to see if there is any chance of reviving one of the oldest leagues in East Lancashire.

Until then, the Burnley and District League championship trophy and the Cowpe Shield -- which both date back to the 1890s -- will be on display at Towneley Hall.

League secretary Arthur Sagar said: "This is a very sad day for us but there was nothing else we could do.

"We have been struggling in recent years and despite appeals for teams and umpires we have failed to attract the numbers needed to run the league successfully. I asked Towneley Hall if they wanted to display the trophies and they have kindly taken them on loan for 12 months. The trophies are part of our heritage and it is better for them to be on display rather than locked away."

Mr Sagar, now 70, joined the league as a player back in 1948 and was still playing last season.

He added: "The league has given me a lot of enjoyment and I was hoping we could keep it going. I did write to all of the local schools to try and get them to join a schools division which would have given us players for the future.

"Unfortunately we did not get a very good response."

The league formed as the Burnley and District Churches League in 1894 then merged with the Burnley and District Saturday League in the 1960s.

Mr Sagar thanked fixture secretary Derek Pate and treasurer Jim Riding for their help over the years and also sponsors Samuel Cooke and John Lewis of S M Holdings Publicity and Gifts.

Mr Sagar added: "It's the end of an era but I would like to thank everyone for their help over the years. We will just have to wait and see if we get it up and running again."