RESIDENTS invaded a Cricket pitch and forced players to abandon their game as part of a long-runing dispute.

A handful of people stood on the St Andrew's cricket ground, Eastern Avenue, Burnley, yesterday, to protest against the Hussania Cricket Club playing there after they were given a seven-day eviction notice issued by Lancashire County Council.

People living next to the ground have made several complaints that the team has "outgrown" its small pitch and flying cricket balls have caused damage to their houses and cars.

Despite receiving an eviction notice to leave their ground on Monday, May 22, the team were advised to stay by their solicitors who are currently having talks with the county council.

Secretary of the club, Ejaz Hussain said: "We were supposed to be playing a team from Blackburn in the North West Lancashire League but the residents just walked on to the pitch as we were about to start.

"The ground has been here for 120 years and before us there hasn't been an Asian team. There were no complaints till we started playing here."

County Coun Terry Burns said: "At the meeting tonight we will try to find somewhere else for them to play because it is a good club that has done a lot of good work in the community."

County Coun Tony Martin added: "All along this has been a public safety issue and nothing to do with the team being Asian."

Hussania CC will meet to discuss the situation with county councillors and members of the Lancashire Cricket Board tonight, at 7pm, at the Burnley Mechanics.