Former England captain Graham Gooch will visit Barrow next month, as special guest for Lindal Moor Cricket Club's annual Sportsman's Dinner.

Gooch, England's second-highest run scorer in Test cricket, will be at The Forum on Friday, November 8 after the club decided to opt for a larger venue for this year's event, as they are confident that he will appeal to cricket enthusiasts both young and old

Chairman Paul Clarke said: "Having a speaker the calibre of Graham visit us here in Barrow is absolutely fantastic, were delighted he has agreed to travel all this way to come and recall some of his cricketing memories.

"We've had some great speakers over the last few years, and the numbers we've had attending have grown each and every year. This time we've decided to go big, both in terms of name and venue. I'm sure those who come along won't be disappointed"

Gooch started his career in the late 1960's when he joined Essex, for whom he made his first-class debut in 1973 and he went on to help the club win their first piece of silverware in 1979, the Benson & Hedges Cup.

By 1978, Gooch had become a mainstay of the national side, and went on to have many successes, including scoring a record 456 runs, across both innings, in one game against India in 1990, the year in which he was made England captain and also won the PCA Player of the Year award.

Gooch continued his involvement in cricket following his retirement, returning to Essex as head coach in 2009 and temporary batting coach for England in the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

"Graham is such a recognisable face of the game, who will appeal to those both young and old," Clarke said, adding: "If you're involved in a sport at the highest level for as long as Graham has been, I'm sure you'll have one or two interesting tales to tell"

Tickets for the event are priced at £35, including a three-course evening meal.