CRICKET fans will be able to enjoy an action-packed festival this summer, marking the sport's 300th anniversary.

The Malling Cricket Festival takes place at the Old County Cricket Ground, Norman Road, West Malling, from Monday to Friday, July 18 to 29, and will celebrate the first recorded game in Kent which took place on the ground in July 1705.

Organised by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council in partnership with the Kent Cricket Board and Town Malling Cricket Club, the festival will feature a series of high profile matches.

There will be games against Lashings Cricket Club, Marylebone Cricket Club and a Fleet Street press team.

Schools from across the county will take part in a Kent schools district competition and there will be a national league county girls' fixture.

The social highlight will be a festival dinner on Friday, July 22, where cricket commentating legend Henry Blofeld will be celebrity guest speaker and a number of cricketing celebrities will attend.

For younger enthusiasts there will be road shows and coaching clinics featuring well-known cricketing personalities.

Cllr Sue Murray (Con), the council's cabinet member for leisure, culture and youth, says: "There really will be something for everyone to enjoy at the festival, which has been organised not just to celebrate 300 years of cricket in Kent but to inspire more young people to take part in the game and improve their cricketing skills."

For further information and to buy tickets call 01732 876177 or visit the leisure and tourism page of the TMBC's website at www.tmbc.gov.uk.