A cricket club has put out an urgent appeal for funds and new members to prevent it closing after more than a century.

East Malling Cricket Club’s membership has declined so severely there are now just nine regular members and five casuals, but they needs at least 18 to continue.

The club are in such dire straits it needs to fundraise to pay the bills this year.

They want to attract new blood to the club with fun days and other money-makers planned for May and August.

Captain Mark Higgins said: “As a club, we are 120 years old and have a history and an identity, but we want to secure the future of the club.

“Ultimately we want the club to continue but our numbers have been in a downward spiral for the last four years.

“We haven’t got a Colt (junior) section and without that we’re not going to get the long-term future of the club. We are at a tipping point.”

He said one problem faced by the club and others was that young players were attracted to football rather than other sports.

“Younger people naturally go to football. The Premier League means that’s where they want to be. There are bigger clubs than us struggling like this.”

The club was formed in 1895, playing friendly cricket on Saturdays and Kent Village Cricket League on Sundays.

Of the current members, Mr Higgins is the oldest at 45, but the youngest players are in their late 20s. One member’s son also plays for them on a casual basis.

They also enjoy a lively social scene and members can often be found in the Rising Sun pub in the village after games.

The club are appealing for sponsors, raffle prizes but above all new members of all ages. If you can help in any way contact Gavin Wenborn by emailing eastmallingcc@btinternet.com