MEMBERS of Ramsbottom Cricket Club have been bowled over after receiving £12,500 from a flood relief fund.

Sport England has awarded the club the cash from its Flood Relief Fund to help prevent further disasters and support the club to continue recovering from the tragic Boxing Day floods.

The floods caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the historic Acre Bottom ground.

Ian Schofield, a leading committee member at the cricket club said: “It was heartbreaking to see the damage sustained, but very encouraging to see the community coming together to clear the mess.

“In the past few weeks there has been a magnificent effort by local residents to clear the silt and mud.

“Residents across the town came together to help the clean-up effort.

“The club are grateful to David Nuttall, MP for Ramsbottom, who raised the issue of the damage to our club with the Minister for Sport in the House of Commons.

“The club worked hard to gain access to Sport England’s Emergency Flood Relief Fund which was set up to help restore pitches and repair community sports facilities damaged by the floods.

“We are so pleased that we have received some funds to help get the club back on track.”

Ramsbottom councillors, Rob Hodkinson and Ian Bevan also welcomed the announcement.

Cllr Bevan said: “Ramsbottom Cricket Club has been recovering following the Boxing Day floods when it suffered serious damage due to the flooding.

“The flood water of the River Irwell deposited tonnes of mud and silt all over the cricket ground and damage to the cricket square has devastated the club.

“Substantial damage occurred to the club's ground maintenance machinery and the road at the far side of the ground was almost washed away, leaving a £70,000 repair bill.”