AN East Lancashire Cricket club wants to raise £295,000 to build new changing rooms.

Read Cricket and Bowling Club wants to modernise its facilities so they can be better used by the community.

Chairman Steve Lowes is leading the campaign.

He said: “We have to replace the changing facilities as they are archaic. They do not meet modern standards”.

Mr Lowes stressed that the club was not under threat, but just wanted to improve facilities.

He said: “The club is on a solid financial footing, we just need to modernise it so we can move on. The current facilities were built in 1978, but times have changed a lot since then. This is all about the next 30 years.”

Mr Lowes said the club had some pledges of support but more was needed.

He said: “We have about £200,000 on bids for funding from various groups but none of those are concrete.

“We have applied for money from groups like Sport England and the ECB. Local people have also pledged support, as well as joining our Buy-a-Brick initiative.

“We have about £3,000 pledged so far.”

A sponsored walk from Lancashire County Cricket Club’s Old Trafford ground to Read CC will take place on Sunday, June 24.

Mr Lowes, along with the club’s secretary and treasurer, are leading the 27-mile hike and are asking for volunteers to join in the event.

The walk, for over-16s only, leaves Old Trafford at 8am, with the aim of getting back to Read for 6pm.

To take part, call 07966 123013.

Money raised will go towards the changing rooms project.

The club also plans to hold a raffle in the next few weeks.

If you wish to help, call Steve Lowes on 07812 381782.