PLANS are being drawn up for a new cricket club based in a Blackburn park.

A former international cricket captain is backing the bid to launch a club in Queen's Park, a move residents say is "a million dollar" idea for the area.

The plans are being put forward by GP Dr Issack Bhojani, who says it will promote cohesion and help local youngsters keep out of trouble.

Dr Bhojani, 47, has enlisted the help of former West Indian captain and renowned batsman Alvin Kallicharan, who would be a coach at the new club.

There is already a wicket at the council-owned park, but it has not been maintained in recent years. Dr Bhojani, a keen wicketkeeper for Blackburn Northern club, has arranged for the England and Wales Cricket Board to visit the site to assess whether the wicket was suitable for match play.

He said he was hopeful of raising the amount of money needed to build changing rooms and upgrade the pitch - which could be up to £50,000 - and the club could be up and running by the summer.

He said: "We have had a lot of support from people wanting to be involved.

"People are fanatical about cricket in the area, more so than football. We know there's a lot of cricketing talent there, but young people who are keen often have to travel to other areas.

"There's no structure at the moment, people just mess around. There could be lots of benefits from this - Blackburn with Darwen doesn't enjoy good health, and this could also cut down on problems like drugs and antisocial behaviour.

"And the club won't discriminate against anyone. Hopefully the younger generation will be able to mix better than the older one."

Dr Bhojani said while some nearby residents might object, his plans had so far got a positive reaction.

Jack Yates, vice chairman of the Queens Park Supporters' Group, said: "We have had a group meeting about this, and we think it's a million dollars offer for the park.

"Dr Bhojani is very ambitious and he's prepared to put his money where his mouth is. He seems very knowledgeable of what he can pull in through the grants system.

"Some people will always complain, but the more things that go on in the park, the better."

Coun Michael Law-Riding, executive member for Leisure and Culture at the council, said:"We are working with Mr Issack Bhojani in a bid to establish a cricket club in the park which will be used by his group and also by individual park users.

"The council maintains all wickets in the borough during the season and they are reviewed in spring for any major remedial work before the start of the season.

"We don't do it before then as the wickets could be damaged before the season starts."