GRASSROOTS Cricket is to receive a major boost after it was revealed that Lancashire stars could be recruited to help promote the sport in local schools and clubs.

The exciting plans were revealed as the Blackburn Development Group held its first ever meeting last night.

Officials from the area's Lancashire, Ribblesdale and Northern league joined local league representatives and schools at the meeting held at Blackburn library.

And it was agreed that involving Lancashire players would be a major boost in helping to give cricket a higher profile.

With similar groups in Burnley and Hyndburn soon to get under way, the England and Wales Cricket Board initiative is well on track to promote cricket in East Lancashire.

Blackburn has already become the first development group in the country to hold a ECB coaching courses for members of the ethnic minorities where 15 passed their Level One course which was held at St Mary's College during the summer.

Now plans are in the pipeline to hold a similar introductory course for parents and local team managers so that they can coach youngsters themselves.

However it is the news that Lancashire stars could be called upon which has caused the most interest. Rudra Singh, Lancashire cricket development officer for the ECB, said that the first meeting was well attended and he was encouraged to see so much interest.

He said: "We discussed a lot of new ideas at the meeting and I was very pleased to see so many wanting to help promote the sports.

"However it was the idea of trying to recruit Lancashire players that seemed to cause the most interest because they are the stars school children can relate to. And with cricketers now on 12 month contracts there shouldn't be a problem of recruiting them to help during the winter months."

And involving cricket during the winter figured highly in the meeting and members agreed that more should be done during the close season.

Plans were discussed to introduced a winter league competition and also to tour the Warburton's Kwik Cricket Experience Roadshow around clubs and schools.

Mr Singh added: "It appears that members want some sort of cricket involvement all year round which is another good sign. We knew that cricket appeared to be dwindling in schools, especially in primary schools, so I am pleased that the group is so keen on turning things around." A total of 23 clubs, schools and other organisations - including members of Cherry Tree, East Lancashire, Blackburn Northern and Darwen - attended the meeting.

And members all voiced an interest in forging closer links between clubs and schools. Cherry Tree and Rawtenstall have already established a girls section at the club where free coaching was provided by the Lancashire Cricket Board and the Lancashire Women's Cricket Association.

And with Burnley providing a similar service for disabled crickets, Mr Singh said that East Lancashire is quickly becoming a major centre for providing cricket at grassroots level.

Other ideas to come from the inaugural meeting included providing leaflets with information of clubs that provide help for budding cricketers while Mr Singh also discussed ways of attracting sponsorship and funding.

Siraz Natha, Blackburn with Darwen Council's sports development officer, has been put in charge of the administration of the newly formed group which has already received a £500 grant from the ECB.

But future plans included appointing a chairman and drawing up a constitution.

Mr Singh added: "The hardest part was holding this first meeting but now we have the ball rolling we should be able to make some serious progress."

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