BIDDESTONE Cricket Club is celebrating after receiving a substantial cash boost towards the replacement of their old pavilion.

The Cuttle Lane club, who play in Prem Two Glos/Wilts of the West of England Premier League, will receive £55,000 of lottery funding to help towards the costs of replacing their current facility.

The project is among 148 local sports schemes to secure a share of £9 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund.

As well as the substantial Lottery funding, the remainder of the money for Biddestone’s pavilion project is being supported by Chippenham Council Area Board (£5,000) and the club’s own funding and sponsorship, to the tune of £30,000.

Biddestone’s secretary Andrew Short said: “We are delighted to have secured this grant, which means that we can follow through our club development plan and improve the level of changing facility at the club, and in particular for our female members.’’

“We have had continuing fantastic support from Biddestone Parish Council, Biddestone Village Hall & Recreation Trust, Chippenham Area Board and Wiltshire Council chair Jane Scott.’’

Since 2011, the Inspired Facilities fund has helped breathe life into tired community sports facilities, converting existing buildings into venues suitable for grassroots sport.

Sport England property director Charles Johnston said: "The Inspired Facilities Fund has had a huge impact on grassroots sport across the country.

“Since 2011, we’ve invested £102 million into more than 1,920 projects to improve and refurbish sports clubs and transform non-sporting venues into vibrant community sports clubs.

"It’s great to see Biddestone Cricket Club join the long list of successful clubs to benefit from this fund.’’