OLDSWINFORD cricketers will be looking to start the new season with an extra spring in their step after completing £40,000 worth of refurbishment to their Albermarle Road headquarters.

Money for the work has been provided by Sport England which has enabled the club to improve facilities which should last for the next 25 years.

They have completely re-roofed the clubhouse, improved the changing facilities and toilets, installed new flooring and created a patio area.

It was only two years ago the club was awarded £36,000 by the ECB and Ibstock Corey to provide a new nets facility.

Oldswinford Cricket Club secretary Ken Slater said: "We've brought our facilities up to date after they were falling into disrepair.

"The roof had leaked like a sieve and it was getting to the point where we might have been in danger of being closed down.

"As a result, we had to form a disaster fund to enable us to carry out emergency repairs."

The club has a thriving junior section, running teams for all age groups while also being one of only two Worcestershire clubs providing cricket for both girls and disabled players.

Last season, Oldswinford merged with Brierley Hill based Stourbridge Social and now have use of their Norwood Road ground.

Ken Slater added: "It now means we can field four senior sides on a Saturday and we can play some of our junior matches there as well. The merger has been a win, win situation."

Prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for Stourbridge Margot James will officially open the refurbished clubhouse on Friday April 24.