YOUNG cricketers from the Richmondshire district are to benefit from top-level coaching, thanks to National Lottery-funded sports initiative.

Former county player, Umer Rashid, will spend the next few weeks visiting schools and clubs to give them the benefit of his experience.

The cost of the initiative - led by Richmondshire Cricket Development Group - has been covered by an Awards for All grant worth more than £4,000.

Over the remainder of the summer term, Mr Rashid will visit a number of secondary and primary schools and clubs in the area, including Richmond School, the town's St Francis Xavier School, Wensleydale School in Leyburn, Risedale Community College in Catterick Garrison and smaller village schools such as Brompton-on-Swale and Hawes.

"I am thoroughly enjoying working with the different schools,'' he said. "The children have been really enthusiastic and keen to learn and, even in a relatively short space of time, they have improved some of their techniques."