BLACKPOOL Borough Council has stumped up £5,000 to pay for a futuristic all-weather pitch for the town's Cricket club.

And schoolchildren in the resort were bowled over by news that they will be able to play cricket all year round on the plastic pitch.

The pitch has been created at the cricket club's Stanley Park home and, in return for the council funding it, the club will coach pupils from local schools - the grass roots of the game - in bowling, batting and fielding. Council chiefs hope it will secure the future of cricket by encouraging more players to get involved and become passionate about the game.

Dave Reddy, chairman of Blackpool Cricket Club, said modern developments such as the artificial wicket was definitely the way forward for the club: "Advances in technology will allow us to nurture talented youngsters throughout the year and coach thousands more schoolchildren to try to guarantee the future survival of cricket," he said.

And Blackpool's sport development officer, Joel Lavery, said the facility would enable the cricket club to provide excellent coaching sessions for all levels of ability any time of the year.

He said: "This is a unique initiative which we hope will give a great boost to cricket in Blackpool."

Blackpool Mayor Bill Burgess also praised the new pitch when he officially unveiled it on Sunday (April 23).

Any schools interested in finding out more about the new wicket, for training or for matches ,can contact the cricket club on (01253) 393347.