BLACKROD Cricket Club is facing financial difficulties after three years of repeated vandalism and burglary, officials have revealed.

The club in Vicarage Road has suffered "substantial losses" due to the attacks and falling membership numbers, prompting officials to launch an appeal for help.

And talks are underway with neighbouring Blackrod Town Football Club to consider joint use of the clubhouse to halt falling levels of bar takings.

Club chiefs have confirmed that the forthcoming season, due to start in April, will not be affected by the financial setbacks and will go ahead as normal.

Initially, the club's chairman, secretary and treasurer also announced that they would be standing down, although the club have confirmed that the chairman and secretary will now be staying on a short term, with only the treasurer leaving her post.

A club statement said: "Over the past few years the club has been plagued with vandalism and burglaries resulting in excessive costs on insurance, security and repairs.

"This, together with falling membership and a reduction in bar trade has meant that reserves have had to be plundered to meet the substantial losses."

The announcements were made at the club's Annual General Meeting at the clubhouse earlier this month. Officials will meet again to "consider future options" for the club. A further setback was suffered just a month before the AGM.

The club's former pavilion, used as a storage building for machinery and grass cutting equipment, was gutted in a fire which is believed to have been started deliberately.

Club secretary Peter Lennard said: "These facilities are for children of the future. It is their own future that they are destroying."

The club will meet again on Tuesday, March 4.

Anyone who can help the club should contact the steward on 01204 699654.