MORE THAN 30 years of loyal service by one of Darwen's most familiar faces has been rewarded by the town's cricket club.

The new lounge at Darwen CC's Birch Hall ground has been named the Peter Lamster Lounge, in honour of his work as both secretary and chairman since 1970.

Janet Anderson, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, was on hand on Saturday to officially open the facilityy, which club secretary Colin Charnock said cost tens of thousands of pounds to build.

The room, which has been tagged on to the existing lounge, is a self-contained unit which will accommodate sponsors on match days. It has a capacity of 60 and incorporates a bar. Colin Charnock said: "The new lounge is a fantastic addition to the club, it now means that sponsors will have a nice facility for corporate parties to enjoy the cricket.

"The board at Darwen CC felt it only right we should name it after Peter Lamster, as he has done so much for us."

Peter, a solicitor at Watson's on Railway Road in Darwen, joined the board as secretary in 1970. Colin Charnock said: "When Peter was briefed about the job he took it on thinking that it was just a case of taking minutes at meetings. I think someone forgot to tell him about the other work that goes on."

Peter stepped down as secretary in 1976 but maintained an active role at the club before becoming chairman in 1982, taking over from Ted Friend, a position he has held ever since.

Under Peter's reign, the Northern League club has grown massively. The club now fields 13 senior and junior teams and has attracted professionals from around the world.

The club's current pro is West Indies One-Day International Keith Semple. The decision to name the lounge after Peter was taken at a committee meeting last year. Colin Charnock said that at first, Peter was reluctant to go ahead with it but the other members of the committee outvoted him.

Mr Charnock added that Peter now seems to be warming to the idea.

It was hoped the building will be available for use at the start of the last cricket season in April but delays meant it was not completed until July. However, only now can all of the building be used.

A day of celebrations was held to mark the opening on Saturday. At the plaque unveiling with Janet Anderson were Mr Lamster, his wife Barbara and his daughters Petra and Kelly.

In the evening, a dinner was held for 76 people at the ground.

Petra said: "Dad was so proud the club has named the lounge after him, he is very shy and does not acknowledge it in public.

"But I know Saturday was one of the proudest moments of his life."