EX servicemen were bowled over by the welcome they got when a school invited them to take part in a cricket season opener.

The Help for Heroes cricket team played two matches against Barnard Castle School students, staff and Old Barnardians.

The first 16 over match saw a diplomatic draw secured on the final ball of the game against some servicemen who had made an almost 700-mile round trip to play.

The team plays fixtures across the country as part of their recovery from physical and psychological injuries, to aid their integration back into civilian life and to include families.

Staff and Barney Friends organised hospitality food and drink tents which raised funds for the charity.

Headmaster Tony Jackson said: “It was a pleasure and a privilege to host this opening match of the season and the draw with our boys was a fair result.“We are blessed with grounds that I’m convinced have a therapeutic benefit and we all had a great day of cricket. We strive constantly to imbue in our students the need for empathy and a caring nature and with our strong military heritage we were thrilled to be able to help.”

Help for Heroes ambassador Barrie Griffiths said: “The fantastic welcome we received at this beautiful and prestigious school, which has such strong links with the military, has been second to none. Our players– from army, air force and navy backgrounds– have thoroughly enjoyed two very competitive games.

“Many of the lads’ injuries are not clearly visible and can’t be spotted from the sidelines. Some are psychological, others physical and we try and get the guys together at least every six weeks. The sense of camaraderie and spirit reinvigorates them and you see such a difference in the guys.”