HALESOWEN Cricket Club officially opened its new state-of-the-art practice facility at Seth Somers Park.

Worcestershire's former Hales cricketer Ben Cox and MP James Morris were on hand to unveil the new £70,000 nets facility last Friday (May 18).

The event also saw the youth section in action as well as the All-Star programme for 5-8 year olds in full flow.

The new facility have been funded by Cory Environmental Trust and also the England and Wales Cricket Board through its grant aid programme.

Halesowen spokesman Rob Reeves said: "It was a fantastic and special evening to see the ground so full of youngsters, parents and dignitaries to celebrate the opening of the new state of the art net facility at the club.

"A lot of hard work has gone in to this over three years and we are extremely grateful to ECB, Cory Environmental Trust, Durasport Construction and the hard working volunteers at the club who have brought this to fruition.

"To have a £70,000 facility like this is testament to the club's vision for our current teams and the future of the game. We are also grateful to avid cricketer James Morris MP as well as Worcestershire CCC wicketkeeper and former Halesowen player Ben Cox for supporting the event and getting involved with our youngsters and parents on the night. We will not stop here however and are now moving on to two further projects in the coming weeks to take the club another step forward."