A cricket club has suffered a big blow after the discovery of asbestos put its plans for a new pavilion on hold.

It is two years since ex-Kent and England legend Derek Underwood helped Teston Cricket Club to launch an appeal to replace the rundown 60-year-old building.

But its members had hoped to start the next season, which begins in April, with a new clubhouse after working hard fundraising, scoring a £50,000 grant from Sport England and resolving legal and planning issues.

However, club members are now stumped by a problem that could risk the entire scheme – asbestos.

Chairman of the Barham Court club, Peter Erlam, said: “We thought we had everything sorted until this problem came out of the woodwork – literally.”

Just days before demolition was due to begin, an expert inspection revealed that several sections of the structure – a converted post-war classroom – contained asbestos
insulation board.

The material was widely used in the building trade from the 1950s until the 1980s when its use was banned.

Inhaling loose asbestos fibres can cause several serious and even life-threatening conditions to develop. Its removal has to be strictly controlled and is an expensive process.

Mr Erlam said demolition has had to be put on hold as the funds already raised by the club have already been fully allocated under a budget approved by Sport England. Now the cub is appealing for donations from local people and businesses to help get the project back on track.

He added: “We need at least £2,500 to have the asbestos removed. This latest setback has come completely out of the blue. The problem is that a large grant promised to us by Sport England is dependent on us completing the new pavilion by spring time. It is also a quiet time for cricket as we don’t have matches to fundraise around. Now we face the prospect of an indefinite delay.”

If you can help, contact Mr Erlam on 07968 590823 or p.erlam@hotmail.com