FLOODING misery has dampened the spirits of hundreds of people who were expecting to hold their Christmas parties at Worcestershire County Cricket Club's New Road headquarters.

Meanwhile, the club faces losing thousands of pounds after having to cancel a full order book of yuletide events scheduled to be held in the Cricket Suite.

And due to regular flooding, the club is now uninsurable because the ground is one of the first areas to be submerged once the River Severn starts to rise.

Now a corporate member of the club has launched an appeal to cushion losses caused by this year's repeated flooding.

Other corporate members and local businessmen are being approached by businessman Peter Jewell to donate to a flood appeal.

The last floods cost the club £15,000, and officials are expecting that figure to rise to at least £40,000 once the waters have receded.

"It's pretty disastrous here," said John Elliott, Worcestershire County Cricket Club chairman.

"We're fully booked up to Christmas. This is the busiest month for our catering staff and they're now facing cancellations.

"Just yesterday we had to make the decision to cancel a Christmas party for 130 people.

"Peter's a long-standing member and a box holder. He has the full backing of the committee over this the appeal.

"We've had to take the carpet up in the Cricket Suite, the bars are flooded and half the seats are under water.

"We'd just started the clear up from the last lot of flooding. Everyone here's trying to keep their chins up, but we just wish for spring and an end to the flooding."

The club is also planning a flood appeal dinner to be held early in the new season.

If anyone would like to contribute to the appeal they should call Elaine Woodward on 01905 748474.