LANCASHIRE are determined to avoid following the route of Roses rivals Yorkshire into massive debt as they consider proposals to secure their long-term future.

Red Rose fans have looked anxiously at the news from across the Pennines that Yorkshire have agreed a '19million debt with Leeds City Council to buy Headingley and then redevelop it over the coming years.

It is a similar problem to the one currently exercising Lancashire, who are aware they need to spend around '25million if Old Trafford is to reach the standards expected of a stadium hosting modern international cricket and maintain their position as one of England's Test-match venues.

But as they consider their options, which include relocating to either the other side of Manchester or another site in Wigan, the Lancashire committee are adamant they will not follow the same route and plunge the club into massive debt.

'Yorkshire have to pay that loan back,' stressed Jim Cumbes, Lancashire's chief executive.

Develop

'We're trying to develop or relocate for as little cost as possible.

'It shouldn't be impossible to do providing we can find the right plan. We don't want to do something that puts the club into great debt.'

Lancashire's plans for raising the revenue for redevelopment, which were put to members at yesterday's annual general meeting at Old Trafford, include using some of the current site to develop for commercial use.

They could utilise some of the land behind the pavilion for a high class hotel to raise the revenue, but they have discounted the possibility of Trafford Borough Council funding the majority of the redevelopment.

Cumbes admitted Lancashire's relationship with the council has not always been close but has improved in recent times and stressed: 'The local council is backing us to the hilt and they really do want us to stay here.

'We've said from the word go that this has got to be done without any big debt for this club.

'We fully appreciate we may have to make contributions but what we don't want is to get into the type of debt that Surrey or Yorkshire are in because that's just saddling the members in the future and we don't want to do that.

'If we could redevelop here without any cost or move to Wigan with the minimum of cost, then that's the object of the exercise.'

Venue

Wigan has emerged as the favoured venue should Lancashire have no option but to leave Old Trafford, their home since 1864 and the scene of Jim Laker's 10 wickets in an innings against Australia in 1956 and Shane Warne's ball of the century to Mike Gatting in 1993.

Manchester City Council, backers of the proposed move to Eastlands close to Manchester City's new stadium, are content to sit back and await developments leaving Wigan in poll position to become Lancashire's proposed new home.

Lancashire have been offered a 22-acre site which would incorporate a new stadium and a practice ground, which would be shared by Wigan CC and the 2nd XI.

The new stadium could even have a sliding roof similar to the one being used at Melbourne's new Docklands Stadium while there are plans for a commercial and residential complex, which would incorporate a five-star hotel and provide Lancashire with year-long income rather than just during the cricket season.

Wigan City Council, the enthusiastic supporters of this proposal, have already made a lottery grant application to fund part of the proposal while Lancashire would expect to receive around '25million for the sale of Old Trafford.

The site is already close to the M6 and Wigan Council are also planning numerous road exits from the stadium in addition to building a railway station in close proximity.

'As a club this is one of the biggest challenges we've faced,' admitted Cumbes. 'Whether it's redevelopment or whether it's relocation it's going to be a massive task, there's no question about that.

'Obviously emotionally Old Trafford has a huge pull but if the decision is to relocate, we have to remember tradition is great as long as it doesn't hold back progress.

'I'm not saying that would be the decision. If we can get to the right arrangement here at the ground then that may well be the decision that would be taken.'

Lancashire are expecting to have more concrete proposals for all the alternatives by August and should they decide on relocation, they will need to call a special general meeting and gain the support of the membership for such a contentious move.