A long-time member of Ickleton Cricket Club has won a county ECB award.

Mark Lafferty received the Cambridgeshire Cricket ECB grassroots cricket collective prize after topping out in the cricket innovator category.

The awards recognise the most outstanding volunteers in the country across 11 different categories.

Lafferty's nomination was for implementing new systems by inaugurating a weekly indoor winter nets training session for children.

He has been involved with coaching since 2018, devoting much of his spare time volunteering with the club to develop the junior section.

He currently manages the coaching for over 50 children per week from U8 up to U18.

He said: "We’ve had an astounding season with the juniors this year, with both boys and girls really enjoying our new approach to training.

"It’s been such a rewarding summer encouraging the juniors to push themselves and excel at a sport they love."

Ickleton chairman Edmund Harcourt said: "Inspiring boys and girls at an early age to love sport, especially cricket, is so important.

"Mark’s innovative approach is helping take the club into the next stage of its development by offering a vibrant future to our junior players.

"Without the time Mark has put in, that wouldn’t have happened.

"The next stage is to add training specifically focused on women."

ECB chief executive Richard Gould added: "Cricket is a sport carried by the heroic efforts of volunteers across the country and the Cricket Collective Awards are a brilliant way for us to reflect on and give thanks to some incredible contributions over the last 12 months."

Ickleton Cricket Club are based at Ickleton Jubilee Oval on Frogge Street.

They play a range of mid-week and weekend games at senior level, as well as end of season friendlies.

It prides itself on its inclusivity and its friendly atmosphere and is always ready to welcome new players in all age groups.