LANCASHIRE'S new Cricket Premiership has won a £100,000 sponsorship deal from the Thwaites Brewery.

It is a three-year agreement starting in the summer of 1998.

The sponsorship was announced today by the Lancashire Cricket Board who will govern the Premier Division, made up of the County's 12 top clubs.

It is the biggest sponsorship deal in the history of league cricket.

Thwaites spokesman Mr Paul Winter said: "We are delighted to be involved in this way."

And LCB chairman John Brewer added: "This is a tremendous boost for the Board and for the new league."

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