One of the world’s oldest cricket clubs says its future is looking bright after getting the go-ahead for a brand new pavilion.

Leeds and Broomfield Cricket Club, which was founded in 1762, is celebrating after being granted planning permission by Maidstone council for a replacement one-storey building that will be more than double the size of the existing one.

The club’s president, Martin McCague, said: “This is a momentous first step for the club as we look to enhance our facilities at our home in Burberry Lane, in the grounds of Leeds Castle.

“Our ambition is to build a new pavilion which will give the club and the community a more modern and accessible facility, to include a clubhouse and changing facilities for women and girls.

“The club has grown exponentially over the past decade and our recent promotion puts us in a division with many former Kent Premier League sides.

“This new pavilion will help secure the future of the club, to ensure we have the facilities to compete at this level for years to come.”

Mr McCague joined the club in 2009 after an illustrious career which included first-class and international cricket.

He played three Test matches for England and took more than 450 wickets for Kent.

Now he hopes to cement his club’s position as one of the top 20 cricket clubs in the county.

Club chairman Chris Davis said: “We’re absolutely delighted.

“Our next challenge is to identify opportunities to support the club in raising funding to pay for the new facility. We figure we need in the region of £500k.

“We will be reaching out to the business community in Kent to join us on our journey in this landmark project.”

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