GLAZEBURY residents are being urged to support a fundraising day after a vandalism attack almost crippled the village's cricket club.

The Hurst Lane club, which has been in the village since 1897, bought three new wicket covers costing £4,400.

But the day after they had been installed club members were horrified to find they had been hacked at with a knife, making them useless.

A statement for the Guardian said: "The cost of the covers was £4,400 and the thought that the club may have lost all that money without anything to show for it is potentially crippling for a club of our stature.

"We have to act now if we are to continue as a viable financial organisation.

"We have organised a fundraising day at the Chat Moss pub in Glazebury on Sunday, August 30, from 1pm to 6pm and encourage anyone who wants to help out to attend."

Taylor Business Park has also offered to cover any shortfall for the repairs.

Businessman Paul Taylor added: "It’s awful to see a village organisation work hard like this to raise this much money and see it go to waste.

"We’re happy to help them if we can so that they can continue to raise funds for new equipment rather than take a backwards step when they were doing so well.

"We’re also looking at putting CCTV in place to offer some degree of protection for the club in future."

Glazebury Cricket Club has suffered vandalism attacks in the past as well. Sight screens and the pavilion have both been damaged.