LASHINGS, the star-studded cricket club based in Maidstone, have enlisted the services of former England play Roland Butcher to spearhead their drive to reach out to the local community.

As the coming season approaches, Butcher has taken over the responsibility of setting up coaching clinics under the Lashings banner that will be available to schools and local cricket clubs.

Club chairman David Folb said: "Our priority this season will be very much the local community. We are very keen to strengthen our ties with local clubs this season.

"Even though down the years we have assembled sides featuring a host of international cricketers, it should never be overlooked that Lashings is very much a Maidstone-based club.

"Through Roland, we are determined to ensure that youngsters, and even established club cricketers in and around the county town, can have access to some of the kind of coaching that even county set-ups would envy.

"And with the likes of Richie Richardson, Jimmy Adams, Grant Flower etc, all back with us this season, there is certainly going to be no shortage of help for Roland.

"This season is going to be one of the most exciting for the club and through the coaching schemes there is the chance for some of the better local youngsters to play alongside some of these players in Lashings fixtures during the course of the season.

"While we are not in the business of poaching players, our door is open to any local cricketer of whatever age looking to better themselves."

Folb stressed: "We are not simply some aloof, wandering side roaming the country playing elite fixtures. With that in mind, the new Lashings committee certainly has a local outlook with former Maidstone United chairman Jim Thompson taking over as club president.

"While Jim's name has always been associated with football in the town, people fail to realise that he is an MCC member and has always been a keen cricket follower." Further details can be obtained from Tim Watts at Lashings, telephone 01622 755030.