THE region's top two cricket teams will compete for a 109-year-old trophy this weekend to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

Durham take on Yorkshire in the Royal London One-Day Cup at the Emirates Riverside ground in Chester-le-Street on Sunday (July 31).

To add extra spice to the local derby, the winners will also be presented with the Lahore Trades Cup to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War battle.

The trophy, first known as the All India Inter-Regimental Football Cup, was made in Sheffield in 1907 and presented to Lahore Traders in what is now Pakistan.

Originally awarded as a football trophy, soldiers from the Durham Light Infantry regiment entered the competition for the first time in 1926 and won at the first time of asking.

They retained the trophy in 1927 while serving in Shanghai, and went on to win it again in 1928 and 1929.

After their fourth victory, they became perpetual holders and brought the cup home to Durham where is has remained ever since in the care of Durham County Council and the DLI Trustees.

In 1992, the trophy was offered as the winning prize in the annual Durham versus Yorkshire County Championship match and will be contested again on Sunday.

Cllr Neil Foster, Durham County Council Cabinet member for economic regeneration and culture said: “It is a fitting tribute to the memory of those lost in the Battle of the Somme that the Lahore Trades Cup will be contested once again.

"I’m sure it will create extra incentive for the two teams although hopefully it will be Paul Collingwood who will get to lift it in its home county on Sunday.”