A CRICKET club which was targeted by arsonists is hoping to attract more people to the sport with improved facilities.

Old Malton Cricket Club has submitted plans for a toilet block and temporary unit to provide changing facilities.

The club’s wooden pavilion, built by members in the late 1950s, was destroyed by arsonists in May 2013.

Club secretary Joy Hudson said: “Since the pavilion on the Old Malton cricket pitch was destroyed by arsonists, we have had no changing facilities for our third, fourth and junior teams actually at the ground.

“For the last five years we have been indebted to our neighbours, Malton and Norton Rugby Club, who very kindly offered us the use of their changing facilities and without their help we couldn’t have fulfilled our fixtures.

“Our ideal solution would be to move the pitch closer to the main ground and be able to fully utilise the modern Lottery-funded clubhouse already there.

"Since this has not been possible yet, we have decided to provide temporary changing facilities at the Old Malton cricket ground in the form of a temporary building.”

Mrs Hudson said they also hoped to encourage more people in the area to play cricket. “We are trying to bring the game of cricket into the limelight and encourage more people to take up the sport,” she said.

“There is a general decline throughout Yorkshire and the rest of the country with smaller clubs folding. Many people living in the area don’t even know we exist or what excellent facilities we have, particularly at the main ground.”

The club has four Saturday senior teams, two senior evening league teams and junior teams at under 11s, under 13s and under 15s. Senior nets are held each Wednesday evening at the main ground and junior coaching for seven to 15-year-olds on Tuesday evenings, with ECB qualified coaches.

Following the success of the eight-week ECB All Stars Coaching Sessions in 2017 for five to eight year olds, when 39 children attended, another course, taking place on Tuesdays, began last night (Tuesday) with a taster session.

For details, phone Joy Hudson on 01653 692223.