WIDNES Cricket Club has become one of the first in England and Wales to benefit from the Government's £9.4 million community club development programme.

The Beaconsfield Road-based club has been given £55,988 towards a three-bay artificial practice area, three grass practice pitches and nets.

Peter Hewitt, project manager, said the grant came at just the right time to replace ageing facilities to allow the club to move forward.

"We have more than 120 junior members and the new facilities provide good, safe playing surfaces important for the development of young cricketers," he said.

"The investment will pay dividends in the future."

The money was allocated to Widnes by the England and Wales Cricket Board because of its strong junior development programme.