RADCLIFFE cricketers fear their club will fold if they are forced to move from their current home.

East Lancashire Paper Mill Cricket Club was founded in 1930 on land off Rectory Lane, and has been based there ever since.

But as part of the regeneration of the town, developers wanted the club to move to another part of the site to make room for the new Radcliffe Riverside High School, which the cricketers agreed to.

Last minute changes to the plans meant the club has been forced to move off the site and has instead been allocated space on the King George V playing fields in Outwood Road.

The club was told about the changes in March, but say they have had very little information about the matter and so were not able to raise any objections when the proposals were considered by Bury Council's planning committee.

Members of the club are now hoping they can persuade the council to reconsider the location of their new home.

Mr Kilcoyne, vice-chairman of the club's committee, said: "The relocation of the club is a terrible idea. The club members and people who come to see us play all live locally, and many of them won't be willing to travel to Outwood Road.

"The land there is very boggy, and it is really just farmland. A lot of work would have to be done to improve the drainage and the general condition of the land.

"We're also concerned about the amount of vandalism we would have there.

"We are not against the club moving in principle, but we are against moving to Outwood.

"Because the club was set up more than 75 years ago, we will go to the new site if we are forced to, but we are all very concerned that we will have to close after a few years.

"If our membership dwindles, it may not be viable for the club to continue."

A spokesperson for the council said: "The cricket club is a private club operating on a private lease. Many meetings have taken place between P and F Properties and the club with the aim of relocating to Outwood.

"Press notices, site notices and hundreds of individual letters have been sent out on initial receipt of the planning application and again following the receipt of revised plans.

"The choice of Outwood for replacement facilities is supported by Sport England.

"Additionally, they also consider that the distance to Outwood is not excessive and it is readily accessible."