THE Bolton Cricket League are unfazed by fears they may lose some of the nine clubs that have joined them from the Bolton Association for next year's expanded league.

Developments in other leagues in Lancashire have led to suggestions it could potentially result in some clubs being recalled from the League back to the Association.

The governing Lancashire Cricket Board have halted the expansion of another league, the Lancashire League, due to fears it could kill off neighbouring leagues – the same fate that befell the Association following the creation of the new Greater Manchester League this year.

If the same rules are applied in Bolton, it could mean the revival of the Bolton Association, who have decided to suspend rather than fold in the hope it could rise from the ashes.

In a statement issued on Tuesday responding to the latest developments in the ongoing changes in local cricket, the Bolton League said: "The Bolton League committee are aware of proposed changes elsewhere in the county, but it's business as usual for the officials and the 21 clubs as progress is made towards 2016 and beyond.

"It is felt that there is very little chance of the Lancashire Cricket Board insisting on the Greater Manchester Cricket League and ourselves releasing clubs to rejoin the Bolton Association, especially as the Lancashire League development plans have now been formally put on hold.

"However we are sympathetic to the feelings of the Bolton Association officers, and understand why they have decided to suspend and not wind the league up."