CANTERBURY City Council's Sports Development Team and the Kent Cricket Board have joined forces to offer girls aged eight to 14 the opportunity to try their hand at cricket at half term.

Two sessions giving a fun introduction to the sport have been arranged for February 13 at Canterbury High School. Qualified coaches from local clubs will be running the sessions with the aim being to increase awareness of cricket and encourage more girls to play.

After the half term sessions, a six week cricket coaching programme is planned for April and May, which will lead to the creation of a girls' cricket club to represent the Canterbury district.

Kent cricket development officer David Sear said: "Girls' cricket is becoming more and more popular in England with increasing opportunities to play, and these sessions offer girls a great chance to learn about the game. It doesn't matter if you've never played before and you don't need to have any cricket equipment."

The cricket sessions are part of a week of sports courses at the High School organised by the City Council. On Monday, February 11, and Tuesday, February 12, there's football for girls aged eight to 14, on Thursday, February 14, there is mini-soccer for boys and girls aged eight to 11, and on Friday, February 15, athletics for ages eight to 12.

City Council Sports Development Assistant Claire Jones said: "The half term sports courses are always very popular and good fun.

With the introduction this year of girls' cricket, the spaces are likely to go fast."

To book, contact the city council's sports development team on 01227 862524.