KENT County Cricket Club have set a new date for their Appeal 2005 gala luncheon.

Originally planned for January, the lunch will now be held from noon on Thursday, March 24, at the Ramada Hotel and Resort in Hollingbourne near Maidstone.

Kent’s Appeal 2005 will benefit the club's youth trust as well as the players' benevolent fund, which assists former players or their families in times of hardship.

The lunch will include a speech by guest of honour, England selector Geoff Miller, and an auction of sporting memorabilia with raconteur Roger Dakin.

Tickets, priced at £45 a head, are available from the benefit office, 6 Doubleday Drive, Bapchild, Kent, ME9 9PJ and tickets purchased for the original luncheon will remain valid.