A PUBLIC meeting is being held after a community cricket club was told it is no longer able to use its ground.

It is understood Alan Cassidy, who owns Langley Park Sport and Social Club, near Durham, has told Langley Park Cricket Club to find a new home.

The club has played at the former colliery welfare ground for over 100 years and the reason behind the change remains unclear.

The news, delivered through the Durham Cricket Board, has upset members and a meeting to discuss the future of the club is being held at Langley Park Working Mens Club and Institute on Hawthorne Terrace on today at 6.30pm.

A spokesman for Langley Park Cricket Club said: "We have not been told the reason why.

"It is very upsetting and we are disappointed.

"We are having a meeting to discuss what we can do keep the teams together and if we can use an alternative ground."

Possible sites that may be used are expected to be discussed at the meeting.

Langley Park Cricket Club’s first team recently finished eighth out of 12 teams in the Durham Cricket League Division Two, but was unable to fulfil the final fixture last Saturday against Boldon Community Association as the ground was said to be ‘unfit’.

Posting on its the Facebook page the club has said: “Cricket has been played at this venue for over 100 years and it was our vision to keep it there for many more years to come, sadly Mr Cassidy will not allow this.

“The committee wishes to reassure all players, parents, volunteers and supporters that it will be business as usual for the foreseeable future."

In 2009, Mr Cassidy revealed plans to turn the ground into a modern leisure facility for the community.

Five years later, in 2014, the work was complete and Sir Bobby Robson’s old village club was relaunched as Langley Park Hotspurs FC by his widow, Lady Elsie, at a community social event.

Football club spokesman Tony Mann said his teams were unaffected by changes affecting the cricket club.

Earlier this year a new outdoor sitting area and bar was added to the facilities on Low Moor Road.

There was no answer at Langley Park Sport and Social Club and The Northern Echo has been unable to contact Mr Cassidy for comment.

An internet fundraising campaign set up Christopher Winn has so far raised £385 of £1,500 target to help the club relocate.