A VILLAGE cricket club is looking forward to bright future thanks to help from sponsors Masons Gin.

Newton-le-Willows Cricket Club, between Bedale and Leyburn in lower Wensleydale, is hoping to replace its club pavilion, which is more than 60 years old, and develop a women's team.

Andy Wilthew, club chairman, said the support from Masons has enabled the club to move forward after it had previously struggled to secure sponsorship.

"We were always looking for sponsors but nothing ever materialised until we approached Karl and Cathy Mason at Masons of Yorkshire," he said.

"From day one Karl and Cathy have supported us every season since, even providing a gin bar at our last home game of the season which went down really well.

"This has enabled us as a club to move forward with the extra financial help which includes purchasing our first set of new covers for the wicket which we are really excited about and we can't thank them enough

"We are all very proud to wear their logo on our shirts around different grounds around the Nidderdale and Wensleydale leagues in which we play in.

"There is still along way to go but plans are afoot for replacement of our old pavilion and a women's team. The future looks bright at Newton-le-Willows."

Grassroots cricket has been paused by Covid restrictions, as with all other amateur sport, but Mr Wilthew said the club is now "in full preparation for the coming season" following the resumption of organised outdoor sport.

He added: "We are always on the look out for new players, sponsors, groundsmen, tea ladies and general helpers."

Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Mr Wilthew on email at andywilthew@gmail.com