A £100,000 appeal has been launched to safeguard the future of the oldest club in the Lancashire League.

Supporters of 184-year-old Colne Cricket Club are look- ing to raise the total in just 12 months to guarantee its survival.

Club officials have been working around the clock to revive the outfit’s off-field performance, and launched successful summer camps with South African head coach Shadley van Shalkwyk.

But a number of costly break-ins over the past year, dwindling spectator numb-ers, and a historic debt have left the club’s future in jeopardy.

An emergency appeal had to be undertaken just this week to find £1,000 to pay an electricity bill, or their Hors- field ground would have been cut off. Club chairman Jane Williamson said “Over the past 12 months we’ve been building a strong team to take the club forward, and to hopefully save it.

“But the financial posit-ion we inherited is just un-manageable.

“Without making some progress in terms of lower-ing the debt, the club simp-will not be able to cont-inue.”

An appeal, called ‘Save Our Ground’, is being launched today and townsfolk are being asked to donate at least £1 to preserve its fut-ure.

One of the club’s main sources of income is the function room in the pav-ilion.

But the management will be reviewing the viability of this at the end of the year.

The appeal website - www.saveourground.com - will go live today.

Offers of help can be made to Jane by calling 07803 726845.