AWE Rec Soc has given assurances that the cricket pitches will not be out of action during the planned revamp at the club.

Last month, members of AWE Tadley Cricket Club told The Tadley Gazette they believed they would lose their league positions if sports pitches were unusable as a result of Rec Soc plans to demolish and rebuild the centre.

However, Garry George, chairman of AWE Rec Soc, has now said: "The building work will not impinge on the field sports at all.

"It's our intention to carry on business as normal. It's not our intention to lose facilities and be out of action for a year."

Mr George said the Rec Soc had the luxury of extra space in which to develop, leaving the existing facilities in use while much of the development takes place.

He added: "Our best intention is to build in another area and carry on. We can't guarantee a full continuity of services, but on the grounds side we are not looking to change.

"The pitches are always recognised as some of the best in the area, and it's certainly our intention to maintain those standards," he added.

Long-standing cricket club member Paul Quelch, of Stratfield Avenue, Tadley, said the Rec Soc would need to put up temporary changing rooms near the pitches to comply with county standards if the existing facilities were torn down.

Mr George acknowledged that it was a possibility, but said: "We will manage the transition between the old and new Rec Soc, but we haven't yet looked at all the details.

"We are still looking at the design options," he added.