Roy Coates, the secretary of the Durham County Cricket League, is delighted that free cricket coaching is being provided for youngsters who play in the junior sections of the league.

John Phelan and Michael Manuel, known as the Friends of Crook Town Football Club, are providing the coaching.

Mr Manuel said: "We are using £1,300 from the sale of two books we wrote, the story of Crook Town Football Club and Crook At Work And Play.

"We could have done the coaching with just one club, but it is better to try and raise the standard of all the clubs in the league. Hopefully, it will produce better games."

The coaching sessions start at Parkside School, Willington, this Sunday and run for ten weeks.

Durham County cricket coach, Alan Walker, will concentrate on the bowling, while Durham batsman Gary Pratt will do the batting.

Also helping will be experienced cricket coach Doug Ferguson.

Two youngsters from the Under-13, Under-15 and Under-18 sections of each Durham County League club will receive the coaching. The Under-13 session is from 1-2pm, Under-15 from 2-3pm and U18 3-4pm.

Mr Coates said: "Youngsters can't get too much coaching, the more there is the better. The league are thrilled it's free and all the teams are very interested."

When the cricket coaching ends the two authors are looking to provide some more football coaching for children in the area after the successful scheme they operated a few years ago for school children in the Wear Valley area.