FAMOUS cricketing names have been selected for roads being built in a multi-million pound housing development next to Harrogate's cricket ground in St George's Road.

But the decision by developer Redrow and Harrogate Borough Council to keep a link with the past comes as Harrogate Cricket Club has pulled up stumps on regaining county match status.

The cricket club, which has been consulted on the names, fought a five-year battle to get Yorkshire back to the ground.

But it has admitted defeat, following constant lobbying of county bosses at Headingley.

Six roads have been suggested to take names linked to cricketers.

Heading names from the past will be Verity Walk, in memory of Hedley Verity, a Yorkshire bowler.

Pudsey-born Sir Leonard Hutton, the famous England Test and Yorkshire batsman, will be remembered in Hutton Gate.

Wilfred Rhodes, the England and Yorkshire all-rounder, will be named in Rhodes Drive, while Bill Bowes, the England and Yorkshire fast bowler, will live on in Bowes Park.

Two local names will also have a place in the development.

Redfearn Mews will rekindle memories of John Redfearn, who joined Harrogate as a player and groundsman in 1898.

He went on to play for the first team until he was 65 and continued to serve as groundsman until he was 81.

The suggested name of Woods Court recalls the name of George Woods, one-time captain of Harrogate and a distinctive family name, living on in the town's linen store in Station Parade.

A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council said: "We have gone for names associated with the club or people who have played at the ground, most of them in the club heydays."