BLACKROD Cricket Club have been boosted by a new bowling machine bought with money donated by the Blackrod Scarecrow Festival.

The machine will be used by the Bolton League club's junior section which is booming with more than 40 boy and girl members.

The festival is a long-standing tradition in the village where people make all kinds of scarecrow figures which are enjoyed by residents and visitors.

As well as being fun and a growing part of Blackrod tradition it also raises money for good causes.

The Blackrod Scarecrow Festival committee donates funds to the community which they raise from the sale of programmes.

One of the donations from this year's festival – the 10th year it has been held – was £1,000 for the cricket club which has enabled them to purchase the bowling machine.

It will specifically be for the use of their juniors to help the coaching and development of the club's five junior teams who will be playing in the Bolton League next season.

The club expressed its gratitude to the committee for enabling them to purchase the machine which they believe will be extremely beneficial to their juniors.

The next festival will take place on July 1 and 2 next year.