HUNDREDS of families are expected to attend a fun day being held this weekend to celebrate a cricket club’s coming of age.

Durham County Cricket Club is organising a string of events across the summer to mark its 21st anniversary as a first class county.

Celebrations will culminate in August when the club hosts its landmark first Ashes Test when England take on the Australians at Chester-le-Street.

Around 150 people were expected to attend the club’s Emirates Durham International Cricket ground last night (FRIDAY) for a beer and wine festival.

On Sunday, families are invited to a free fun day taking place at the ground from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

Among the entertainment will be a fun fair and face-painting, appearances by children’s favourites Peppa Pig and George, as well as displays of traditional toys and games from Beamish Museum.

There will also be a craft fair and Great Cricket Cake-Off baking competition, as well as a chance to catch some of the sporting action as Durham take on students from the Durham University Centre of Cricketing Excellence in the traditional curtain-raiser to the new season.

Sarah Baggott, market manager with the club, said: "We would like people to come along and share in the celebrations with us for our 21st anniversary as a first class county.

"It’s a big milestone for us ahead of what promises to be a big year of cricket for Durham."