Young Cumbrian cricketers are hoping a strong partnership with a Lake District business will help them to stand out both on and off the field.

Members of the county’s under-15 side, several of whom play for clubs in the Furness area, proudly displayed their new kits last season, featuring the logo of Sally’s Cottages, an award-winning, family-run holiday cottage letting agency based in Keswick.

Now into its second year, the sponsorship is helping to support the development of of Cumbrian cricket that can boast old boys including England and Durham player Ben Stokes and Cleator brothers Jordan and Graham Clark, who play for Surrey and Durham, respectively.

A current member of the squad, Carlisle CC player Stan Mcalindon, has also just been awarded his first Durham Academy contract after impressing over the winter.

Head coach Andy Bryson said: “County cricket provides a great pathway for juniors to go from the playground to the Test arena.

"We have under-11s right up to a development squad and regularly get scouts from the likes of Durham, Lancashire and ECB Performance Program.

“We’re in a position where we’re making a real culture shift in domestic cricket and are proving that we can do just as much as other counties, especially those that don’t necessarily have the same challenges as here in Cumbria.

Sally Fielding, owner founder of Sally’s Cottages, grew up in Eskdale and now lives in the south of the county added: “As a Cumbria-wide business, in our daily work we thrive on making a positive impact on the local economy and community.

"It means a lot to be able to support young people from around the county in their chosen sport and to hopefully see many of them follow their dreams.”