TWO local men have been honoured by the Lancashire Cricket Board with an Outstanding Services to Cricket Award (OSCA).

The OSCAs acknowledge and recognise the hard work and dedication of volunteers to grassroots cricket in the county.

Bill Elkin, chairman of Greenmount Cricket Club, picked up this year's Building Partnerships award while Martin Kay, from Ramsbottom, who has played an integral role in setting up the new Greater Manchester Cricket League, scooped the award for Leagues and Boards.

They both attended a special presentation at Old Trafford ahead of Lancashire's recent T20 Blast victory over Yorkshire Vikings, where they were treated as VIP guests in the ground's Point hospitality suite.

Bobby Denning, LCB managing director, said: "It was wonderful to be able to recognise our winners by thanking them for their commitment to cricket with hospitality at the match.

"The recreational game is quite simply about volunteers who are involved in the game because of their passion for it.

"On behalf of the Lancashire Cricket Board directors and staff, we thank the volunteers we have recognised with an OSCA, because they don’t always get the thanks they deserve at local level and from ourselves here at the LCB.

"Their contribution is significant."

Kay, who is chairman of the North Manchester Cricket League, is also chairman of the steering group responsible for setting up the new Greater Manchester Cricket League, which is due to start next year.

Elkin's club Greenmount decided earlier this year to end its association with the Bolton League at the end of the current season and join the new GMCL set-up.

Winners in full: Coach of the Year – Michael Mead (Chorley CC). Behind the Scenes – Peter McCann (Skelmersdale CC) and Pauline Toop (Euxton CC). Lifetime Achievement – Wendy Harvey (Burnley CC). Building Partnerships – Bill Elkin (Greenmount CC). Leagues and Boards – Martin Kay. NatWest CricketForce – Moorside CC. Young Volunteer – Sean Patten (Old Xaverians). Umpires and Scorers – Alan Naylor (Denton West). Groundsperson of the Year – Adam Cooper (Fulwood & Broughton CC).