LANCASHIRE have been boosted by a £2.65m windfall from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to help with the redevelopment of Old Trafford.

The money will go towards the first phase of the club’s £70m plans for the ground aimed at bringing Test cricket back to the world famous venue.

The £12m initial phase will see the County Suite, Tyldesley Suite and the Ladies Stand, from the pavilion to the media centre, replaced with a 1,000-seater function room and 2,500 new seats by June next year.

A new £600,000 state-of-the-art drainage system for the outfield was laid during the winter, a new replay screen and scoreboard is set to be in place by June while work will start on erecting permanent floodlights at the end of this season with the square also being turned.

Lancashire missed out on hosting an Ashes Test this year to Cardiff, who partly funded their bid thanks to help from the Welsh Assembly.

The club are already working with Ask Developments, Trafford Council and Tesco to be at the centre of a sports-led regeneration of the area which will see the ground completely redeveloped with the aim to bring the 2013 Ashes to Old Trafford.

Chief executive Jim Cumbes said: “We have had an excellent working relationship with the NWDA for many years and I think it’s fair to say they were as disappointed as we were when Old Trafford wasn’t awarded a 2009 Ashes Test.

“Since that announcement back in 2006, we’ve been in talks about how we can work together on delivering Test match cricket at Old Trafford for decades to come.

“The north west community loves its cricket, and Test cricket at Old Trafford has traditionally attracted sports-lovers from throughout the UK and the world.

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“Our sports-led regeneration scheme is one of the most complex developments in sports history, but if everyone is as keen, supportive and excited about our plans as the NWDA, then our ambitions will be met in time for the Ashes in 2013.

“Not only do we hope to bring back Test cricket to Old Trafford, but the completion of Phase One will safeguard existing jobs and create new ones.”

Steven Broomhead, NWDA chief executive, said: “Our investment will help to unlock an important first stage of the cricket ground’s development which would not be able to progress without public sector intervention. This would result in the region facing the potential permanent loss of international cricket, and greatly reduce the impact of the club on the region’s economy.”

LANCASHIRE’S new overseas player Ashwell Prince has been called up to captain South Africa in the third Test against Australia. However, he is still expected to link up with the Red Rose squad before the start of the new season.
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