The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has been awarded ECB Premier League status.

The League will join 25 other ECB Premier Leagues across England and Wales - the ECB North-East Regional Premier League included - who run competitions at the top level of club cricket.

All 14 clubs in the NYSD Premier Division have achieved Clubmark status and have met and exceeded criteria required to compete in an ECB Premier League.

The concept of ECB Premier Leagues was introduced in 1997 with the aim of raising the playing standard of the top tier of club cricket and to bridge the gap between recreational cricket and the First Class game.

ECB Head of non-First Class Cricket Paul Bedford said: "I'm delighted the NYSD League have gained ECB Premier League status. I would like to commend the league and clubs for their hard work and commitment to achieving and in many cases exceeding the criteria for Premier League status.

"The addition of the North Yorkshire and South Durham League to the ECB Premier League portfolio is a great boost for cricket in the North East of England and further extends the access to top tier club cricket across England and Wales."

League president Chris West said: "The NYSD is delighted that it has been awarded ECB Premier League status after a lengthy accreditation process.

"From start to finish this has taken four years, with the League quite properly required to meet the most exacting standards set by the governing body.

"Many hurdles had to be overcome along the way, but the significant plans we put in place almost a decade ago to rejuvenate, innovate and raise standards, both on and off the field, and at all levels, stood us in great stead and actually allowed us to exceed the ECB's expectations rather than just meet them.

"Our clubs and officials embraced this unanimously, and with great enthusiasm, and deserve much credit for what they have contributed to cricket in the region.

"Hopefully they will now be able to enjoy the additional benefits that membership of an ECB Premier League can bring.''