FOOTBALL may be the name of the game across the world but in a North Yorkshire village cricket is the order of the day.

Players young and old are getting ready for North Stainley Cricket Club's Big Weekend from Friday July 6 with a wide variety of top players and events.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club is staging a training camp for five to 16 year-olds, members of the Yorkshire Diamonds women's team are also hosting a question and answer session, with opportunities for photos and bat signings.

The club's seniors will be playing Nidderdale League matches at home to Ripley and away at Thornton Watlass.

Sunday is Ladies Day with the newly established team hosting its first ever soft ball tournament led by ‘All Stars’ a grass root initiative brought in by the English Cricket Board. Coach Abigail Dobson says training is held on Friday evenings. "As it's ladies we are using a soft ball so no broken fingers, it's great fun and so friendly," she added.

John Skinner head coach of the junior cricket said they have played boys and girls cricket up to U17 for a number of years and ladies cricket was the next challenge.Teams for the tournament are coming from local businesses and other clubs, with refreshments on offer over the weekend.