WORCESTERSHIRE pocketed over £100,000 in gate receipts during the commercially successful Twenty20 Cup campaign -- their record haul in the competition.

Although the Royals failed to make a significant impact on the pitch in this year's Cup, the same could not be said away from the action.

The soaring popularity of the format meant the County enjoyed capacity crowds of 5,000 for each of its four New Road games in the Midlands/West/Wales division. Of the four matches, three were sold out in advance and one on the day.

Gate receipts reached a record £105,000, almost doubling the 2004 figure of £56,000, while £44,000 was taken in the competition's inaugural 2003 season.

An added bonus for New Road officials has been the increasing turn-out of County members.

While shorter Twenty20 games and its associated razzamatazz of entertainment continue to attract more youngsters, the older generation have also been out in force.

An average of 1,450 members have been at each game, compared to 1,200 last year, with about 20 per cent of the remaining 3,500 tickets for the public snapped up by children aged 16 and under.

"The Twenty20 attendances have been nothing short of outstanding," said Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton.

"Effectively, we've had 20,000 people at New Road over the four games, while a few more have been squeezed in.

"Of the seats available to the public, just under 20 per cent have been children 16 and under. Compared to other competitions, that's a much higher percentage. They are going to be our supporters of the future.

"More of the members are beginning to enjoy it. They realise it's proper cricket and not just about trying to lift every ball out of the stadium.

"We feel we've got the balance right between entertainment and cricket. You don't need to use the gimmicks that were used in the first couple of years. The product speaks for itself. The rising crowds are the sign of a product that is improving year on year."

Newton added: "We've got the format of the Twenty20 spot-on, with eight games, four at home and four away, over the three weeks in mid-summer.

"It's proving successful across the country. All on the same night, there was 21,000 at the Oval, 17,000 at Old Trafford and 17,000 at Edgbaston. The average gates have gone up with all the extra games."

Worcestershire's exit from the Twenty20 Cup, confirmed on Wednesday despite their 37-run triumph over Glamorgan, signals another cash bonanza with Australia arriving at New Road for a three-day tourist match on June 30.