A PROJECT designed to encourage cricket supporters to become involved with their local clubs is gathering momentum. The NatWest CricketForce weekend will be held on Saturday March 31 and Sunday April 1. The two days will see volunteers at clubs across the

A PROJECT designed to encourage cricket supporters to become involved with their local clubs is gathering momentum.

The NatWest CricketForce weekend will be held on Saturday March 31 and Sunday April 1. The two days will see volunteers at clubs across the region take part in makeovers and renovations to clubhouses and grounds.

Last year, more than 1,000 clubs across England and Wales took part in the scheme with seven clubs from Huntingdonshire involved.

This year, eight clubs from the district have already signed up, namely Dean, Eaton Socon, Godmanchester Town, Houghton & Wyton; Huntingdon & District, Upwood, Warboys and Waresley.

Registration is an easy process, carried out online via the England and Wales Cricket Board's Play Cricket website. Every club that registers receives free promotional material including posters and t-shirts.

Some of the planned work includes the installation of a new double-bay practice area at Eaton Socon, renovation of scoreboxes and sightscreens and clubhouse refurbishment at Warboys and the installation of a pavilion clock at Waresley.

Between 20 and 50 club members are expected to take part and generous donations of materials have been donated from local firms - clubs also have access to a range of discounts from national supporters, supplying rollers, sightscreens and electronic scoreboards.

INFORMATION: To learn how your club can get involved with Cricketforce, visit www.ecb.co.uk/ecb/cricketforce

* Eaton Socon Cricket Club is holding a 24-hours of cricket marathon across the Cricketforce weekend. The event gets underway at 8.30pm on Saturday March 31 at the St Neots Recreation Centre. The club is also holding a Grand Dinner Dance on March 30. For tickets and more information contact Martin West on 07855265930.