THE Worcestershire Cricket Board has announced a major sponsorship deal.

Apollo 2000, a Midlands-based gas and electrical retailer, are sponsoring the WCB Youth Development Programme with £37,500 over a three year period.

Sportsmatch have agreed also to support the WCB/Apollo 2000 deal. This will generate a total of nearly £60,000 over the next three years.

Mike Gilhooly, Chairman of WCB said, "I am delighted with this Apollo 2000/Sportsmatch sponsorship deal. It enables the WCB to fund an ambitious development plan to give every boy and girl in Worcestershire the opportunity to play cricket."

The scheme will be launched at the County Ground, New Road, Worcester at 11.30am on Tuesday, July 31. Lord MacLaurin, Chairman of the ECB, will be at the launch.