LANCASHIRE League clubs are refusing to join the new Lancashire Cricket Board.

The board was set up last month to oversee the future of cricket in Lancashire.

But after last night's monthly Lancashire League meeting, chairman Peter Westwell confirmed: "There is no way we can join the board at present"

The primary issue is NOT the proposed countywide 'super' league.

Lancashire League clubs are more concerned about the board's proposals on open registration, leaving players as 'free agents'.

This is directly opposed to the league's stance on strict qualification guidelines.

It is believed two other major leagues - the Central Lancashire League and the Bolton League - are also digging in their heels.

The LCB made noises at their first meeting that registration regulations would be relaxed to accommodate the dissenting leagues. But Mr Westwell added: "I thought they would have done something by now.

"We are not members but that does not say we would not want to be members. We are in limbo.

"The Premier League would not put us off, although we would never join in that."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.