MEMBERS of an historic cricket club have voted in favour of moving to a new location after more than 100 years at the same ground.

Westhoughton Cricket Club is now hoping to find a new site after 74 members voted in favour of the move on Friday night.

It is thought the club could sell the land to developers who would build houses on the site off Cricketers Way. The team would then relocate, with rumours that it could be on land in Hart Common.

Chairman Brendan Derham said the team would definitely be staying in the town.

And he assured families who have had the ashes of loved ones scattered across the turf at the existing ground that they would be transferred to the new location.

Mr Derham said plans were still at an early stage, but if they did go ahead the ashes of people would be a major issue for the club.

"If this project is successful we are conscious many people's ashes are scattered on the pitch," he said.

"We would use our greatest endeavour to identify where they have been scattered and take the turf to the new ground."

Mr Derham said a garden of remembrance would be built, where existing hallowed pieces of grass could be placed, or new ashes could be spread.

He added: "It would be up to the individuals and what they want.

"If they wanted turfs placed in the cricket square, we would do that. If they wanted them placed in the garden of remembrance, we would do that as well."

The club says it is likely any move would be completed by 2003. Mr Derham said the club was looking to the future and hoping to help the future generation of sportsmen and women in Westhoughton.

It is hoped a new ground could become the home for two rounders teams, as well as rugby union youth teams, if the plans are given the green light.