COUGHTON landowners are looking for tenants to start a new community cricket club - for a rent of just £1.

Throckmorton Arms owners, Nigel and Adrian Staley, are forging ahead with plans to create a cricket club next to the A435 hotel after an application to change the use of the agricultural field was approved by Stratford District Council.

The brothers, both keen cricket fans, plan to open up the club to the whole community, including schools.

"It's an ideal place to have a cricket club - a fantastic spot right in the heart of the community," said Nigel Staley.

"But we need a community-minded person who can take the club on and be prepared to really look after it."

The brothers aim to lease the club for a minimum of 10 years, but said rent will be set at just £1 in the first year.

"We understand the venture will take a lot of work and setting it up could be expensive, so we're keeping costs down by requesting a minimal amount to complete the contract," said Mr Staley.

He added they would match "pound for pound" money spent by the tenant on creating the club - half of the total cost.

Work is needed to remove the grass and topsoil, creating a level playing surface and "square" and installing a drainage facility and specialist grass seed mix.

The tenant will also need to provide a shed, tools and machinery and a safety net to protect buildings and the adjoining hotel car park.

Anyone interested can call Nigel Staley on 01285 720056