More than 30 volunteers from St Cross Symondians cricket Club converged on their picturesque Winchester ground over the weekend to give the facilities a complete makeover.

The nation-wide NatWest CricketForce 2005 event is the culmination of the enthusiasm, hard work, and commitment of cricketers to their club and the local community.

Well-known for its promotion of junior cricket, St Cross CC has striven to further develop links with Westgate and Osborne Schools.

With hundreds of cricketers training and playing every week on the ground throughout the summer the facilities were in need of a lick of paint.

Local support for the project has been outstanding, with St Cross CC securing paint, brushes, building materials and carpet tiles from B&Q, Nigel Miller International and ICI, all free of charge.

This work will ensure that the ageing facilities endure another hard season while planning and fundraising is undertaken to try to ensure a more permanent solution and guarantee cricket at St Cross for generations to come.

The club is delighted and looking forward to welcoming members (old and new), opposing teams and spectators to a much-improved venue this season.

Other local clubs to benefit from the NatWest scheme include Bishop's Waltham, Burridge, Hambledon, Flamingo and Lymington.