LANCASHIRE have pleaded for patience in their efforts to decide whether to make a controversial relocation away from Old Trafford.

The Red Rose county have been considering moves away from Old Trafford, their home since 1864, because of the prohibitive cost of making improvements to the stadium to bring it up to international standards.

They believe updating Old Trafford to the standards of Trent Bridge, The Oval and Lord's - all fellow Test grounds which have had their facilities upgraded in recent years - could cost as much as '25million.

They are considering possible moves to the other side of Manchester and a potential site close to Manchester City's new stadium at Eastlands, while a move to Wigan is also being contemplated.

Either move would cause consternation among large sections of the membership, who are also irritated by the length of time the committee are taking to consider their options.

But secretary Jim Cumbes has urged the membership to be patient while Lancashire consider the best course of action to secure their future.

'It's a question we thought we'd be able to answer in a matter of months but, as we found out, to be thorough about the option of East Manchester or Old Trafford required us to consider a lot of detail,' explained Cumbes.

'Just when we thought we were closing in on a decision, the possibility of moving to a huge site in Wigan popped up.

'The temptation was not to consider this, but then we could have been open to criticism from members for not looking into all options that were being offered.

Decision

'We have to be patient as this is a decision that involves the future of the club for the next 50 years or more and a decision cannot be taken until we know the full facts.'

Lancashire are aware that to remain on the Test and international ground rota they need to keep pace with the developing ground at Chester-le-Street, while Yorkshire have reached an agreement with Leeds City Council to begin a multi-million pound redevelopment of Headingley.

To match that type of development Lancashire, who enjoy regular income for most of the close season by operating as a car park for the other Old Trafford during Manchester United home matches, are considering alternative methods of income.

Cumbes believes the development required could cost as much as '25million and stressed: 'To raise this sort of capital we'll need to develop our land, which could involve mixed use such as offices, residential accommodation and possibly retail premises.

'This would of course very much depend on the view of the local planners but we're working closely with Trafford Council to ensure that what we might put forward is possible.

'All this has to be achieved whilst still retaining broadly what we have.'

Lancashire announced a pre-tax profit of '735,000 thanks largely to 110,000 people attending the thrilling Ashes Test at Old Trafford.

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