More than 50 volunteers have helped spruce up Rainham Cricket Club at the launch of a fundraising appeal for a new pavilion.

Shadow sports minister Hugh Robertson, Medway Mayor David Carr and England Women’s player Lydia Greenway also stepped in.

The volunteers gathered at the club in Berengrave Lane last Saturday as part of NatWest Cricketforce.

The scheme allows volunteers at cricket clubs across the country to tackle chores many groups would find difficult to pay for themselves.

The day was also used to launch the club’s appeal fund for a new pavilion.

Chairman John Mitchell said painting, clearing the ground and nets had been repaired and refurbished.

He said: “We have had a good day and got a fair bit done.

“We’ve also had some kids down here with the club coaches as well, going though the motions.”

Mr Mitchell said the club, which has about 60 senior members and 120 children, receives no external funding and depended on schemes like NatWest Cricketforce for vital support.

England and Kent cricketer Lydia Greenway, said: “These schemes are massively important, it not only regenerates the grounds and facilities, it gets the community involved, and that is so important for clubs like this.

“Hopefully it generates a bit more interest as well.

“I was in Surrey recently with the same initiative and hundreds of people were there, including players like Monty Panesar.

“When you get people like that, it gets people interested.”