THERE should be a season-long party atmosphere at Cleobury Mortimer Rugby Club as they celebrate their 10th anniversary.

Cleobury have a string of events to mark the achievement and will also play in yet another different league, moving to Midlands Four West (North).

They finished halfway up the southern section last season after a disjointed campaign affected by floods and the foot and mouth crisis.

But good news for Cleobury is the division switch which will reduce travelling times and create a big local derby with Ludlow.

Another boost is the club's Lacon Childe School home has been elevated to sports college status for September, creating a fitness suite and better changing rooms.

And a Sports 2000 proposal for land there involves two new rugby pitches, an all-weather floodlit astro-turf pitch, new tennis courts and a football pitch.

The £1.5m project is due to go for planning permission.

The rugby club and school will also have access to a scrummaging machine which is set to be delivered by a well-known face by mid-July.

Clare Redfern, of the rugby club's fundraising committee, said: "It's amazing we have got this far because we started out as a little pub side who formed after one of the World Cups.

"We're especially looking forward to getting back to our healthy local rivalry with Ludlow and we'll hold our vice-president's day for the home game on September 29."

Cleobury, who also run a busy seconds team with a host of up-and-coming juniors, begin pre-season training on June 28 and continue on Mondays and Thursdays.

Their 10th anniversary events include discos during the season and themed lunches at Cleobury Sports and Social Club on the day of Six Nations games.

One of the highlights will be a 10s tournament next May.

Schedule, July 14: Mid-summer Masked Ball at The Horse and Jockey pub; September 1: Sponsored 10-mile fun-run, walk or cycle from Cleobury Sports and Social Club; May 6, 2002: President's Day; May 11: 10s tournament, including two teams from Cleobury; Late May: Sevens competition in Benidorm.