AMBITIOUS plans to create the north of England’s first specialist indoor cricket pitch, in Wirral, have been submitted to the council.

The scheme, by leisure company Eight for Sport, is backed by a number of cricket development bodies including the ECB, Indoor Cricket England, Cheshire Cricket Board and local clubs.

They hope to develop a site in Candy Park, Bromborough, and, as well as three dedicated indoor cricket pitches, nets and practice lanes, also aim to provide facilities for other sports, including indoor netball.

Eight for Sport director, South African-born Oliver MacPherson, said they hoped this would be the first in a network of centres.

He said: “This is a hugely exciting project and will be the 100- mile radius of Wirral.

“Indoor cricket is a growing sport that can be played by both sexes and by people with different cricketing abilities and experience.

“Beyond the established cricketing community, our marketing discussions have included conversations with Wirral Council sports development personnel, schools and corporate businesses, as well as organisations like Wirral PCT and youth engagement groups.”