A HAMPSHIRE cricket club has unveiled its brand new £30,000 home that has been 18 months in the making.

Leader of Hampshire County Council Roy Perry cut the ribbon as Wellow and Plaitford Cricket Club officially marked the opening of its new pavilion.

The project, funded mainly by Test Valley Borough Council, has seen new showers and changing rooms, a bar and other facilities built into the pavilion.

Totalling £30,000, almost £24,000 came from the borough council, with other donations including £2,000 from cllr Perry and £1,000 from deputy leader of Test Valley, Nick Adams-King.

Chair of Wellow Parish Council, Gaye Chesterton, said it was something the whole community could be proud of.

She said: "The opening on Saturday was fantastic. We had some bad weather which actually was welcomed as it meant we could get the whole thing finished for the cricket team to use.

"The weather was very fortunate and I know the cricket club are hugely proud of what we have achieved.

"Of course we will also use it for other things, and it is something that the whole community can be proud of."

Though there is no exact date confirming the age of the cricket club, it is first mentioned in newspaper cuttings dating back to 1880.

Last year, the parish council successfully applied for a community asset grant from the borough council, with the decision finally made to build the new pavilion.

During the 2017 season, the adult side were unbeaten champions in the Hampshire Northwest 2 League.

Opening the pavilion, county council leader Roy Perry said: "This really is a marvellous facility.

"A village isn't really a village without a good cricket team. A cricket team needs a great pavilion and it really has one now.

"It's also a tribute to the parish council here in Wellow who have got behind it."