FINES have been astronomical at a cricket club this season - but the players have been happy to pay them.

Stagborough Cricket Club, based in Stourport, has been penalising members for everything from dropped catches to turning up late for matches.

By the end of the month, it plans to hand over £600 - six times more than expected - to the appeal to raise £2.2 million for a new home for Kemp Hospice.

The cause has now captured the imagination to such a degree that players have started demanding reasons if they are not landed with a fine.

"It's not something we've ever done before," said club secretary Mark Hall. "But we felt it was a good cause and it was well-organised.

"At our annual meeting last year we were throwing around some ideas - like fines for dropping catches - and we thought why not do it for Kemp Hospice?"

The club, which usually plays once a week, estimates it will have notched up £300 through fines by the end of the season, and it has secured pound-for-pound pledges from two companies.

And there is no shortage of mistakes that will hit the pocket. "It's almost anything. Bowling a wide costs 25p. If you turn up without wearing a Stagborough Cricket Club shirt you will get fined 50p. If you're out for a duck that's 50p, and a golden duck is £1," explained Mr Hall.

"Different people take turns in finding something more inventive each week. It's almost got to the stage when people are saying 'Why haven't you fined me this week?'"

He added: "It shows just what can be done."