THE future of West Fife cricket looks bright after a nationwide initiative in Dunfermline resulted in a huge increase in participation.

Dunfermline and Carnegie Cricket Club, for the second successive year, have been hosting sessions of 'All Stars Cricket', a programme that aims to encourage children between the ages of five and eight to take up the sport.

Backed by both Cricket Scotland and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the eight-week scheme began last month and seeks to provide youngsters with a fun, first experience of the game.

Dunfermline and Carnegie, based at McKane Park, are one of more than 50 clubs across Scotland that signed up to host and run sessions, allowing participating boys and girls to develop their skills and make new friends in a safe and inclusive environment.

The sessions, which have provided each child with a a cricket ball, backpack, activity book and personalised shirt, and the chance to meet some current Scotland internationalists, have been led by Philip Daughtrey and will finish next Thursday.

Alan Leitch, a player with the club who has been helping with the sessions, said: "This year we have seen over a 300 per cent increase in participation, from five kids in 2017, to 18 that have signed up this year.

"The brilliant weather has no doubt helped but each week has seen all the kids having great fun and getting their parents and grandparents involved too, which has been great to see.

"The programme comes with a set of training and learning exercises aimed at learning the fundamental basics of batting, bowling and fielding, whilst also ensuring the kids have fun and learn about the importance of communication.

"Maybe we are seeing an upturn of interest and participation, which can only be aided by Scotland's wonderful win against the world's number one ranked ODI (one day international) team, England."

For more information about getting involved with the club, you can find them on Facebook or visit www.dunfermlineandcarnegiecricket.hitscricket.co.uk.