Young cricketers across the region are to benefit from the generous sponsorship of York firm House of James Transport.

The company has agreed to sponsor training and games at Under-11, U13 and U15 age levels which are played in the Lord Taveners Festival in July.

The sponsorship came through the contact of former Woodhouse Grange CC captain Simon Gill, whose family firm has struck up the three-year deal.

Gill played in the winning Woodhouse Grange side that won the Village Knockout trophy and said: "I believe encouragement for our national summer game starts at grass-roots level and if we can help to advance the career of any young local cricketer then it will be money well spent."

House of James Transport employ approximately 60 staff through its three depots based in York and High Wycombe which provides 'professional customised logistics solutions'.

Chairman of the York Coaches' Association Bob Paddison said: "As the Association is self-funding, we are grateful for this sponsorship in which we will be able to use the money to provide quality coaching sessions for budding young cricketers."

Nigel Briggs, left, secretary and Treasurer of the York Cricket Coaches' Association receives the cheque from Simon Gill.

Updated: 11:05 Thursday, May 13, 2004