There will be no limited overs cricket during Tunbridge Wells Cricket Week in 2014 after the proposed NatWest t20 Blast game with Gloucestershire was moved to Canterbury amid ‘financial restraints.’

The Gladiators were due to visit The Nevill Ground on Friday, May 30, to open Kent Spitfire’s t20 campaign, the same week as the visit of Worcestershire in the LV= County Championship Division 2.

However ‘despite extensive efforts’ the match was been switched to The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, as ‘financial restraints’ mean the cost of introducing temporary seating to accommodate the additional supporters for a t20 match are prohibitive.

Kent chief executive Jamie Clifford said; “We have been working closely with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to establish a multi-game programme for 2014.

“Sadly, it has not been possible in the current environment of council cuts and tightening budgets, which are fully understood.

“The Council cannot sustain the extra costs associated with hosting a t20 Blast fixture, with the need for a temporary stand to increase capacity by over 1,000, plus a range of other costs.”

He added: “The club is not in a position to take on the additional expenses, but I would like to thank the Council for all the support they continue to give, which will allow the festival, which has taken place in Tunbridge Wells for over 100 years, to continue.”

Tunbridge Wells Borough Councillor, Jane March, said: “Financial restraints have meant we have reassessed how much cricket we can support at the Nevill Ground and we are working hard to ensure that first class cricket is still available in Tunbridge Wells.”

Kent will play Worcestershire from May 25-28, with juniors given free entry.