A cricket club targeted by thieves is planning to build a £70k new practice facility, complete with blue astroturf in a bid to stop the grass being stolen.

It comes after the sports group lost use of their existing batting nets when around £5,000 of fake grass was ripped up last September.

Upchurch Cricket Club, based to the west of Sittingbourne, is now fundraising for a more secure training area, which came one step closer to reality this month after Swale Borough Council contributed £10,000 towards the project.

Graham Young, colts chairman at Upchurch Cricket Club, said: “The loss of the nets was a massive disappointment because it was such a big function of the club.

“It was a training area used by all members of the club, and to lose that heading into the cricket season is massive.”

No arrests were made, though the thieves were caught on CCTV wheeling the turf away in a trolley.

Despite not needing to close, the club has had to adapt its training methods in the meantime by placing temporary nets on the pitches.

The new facility is said to be more secure and long-lasting, and will be surrounded by impenetrable metal caging with locks and CCTV.

It will contain three all-weather batting lanes.

The fake grass will now be painted blue in the hopes of looking less appealing to thieves.

The club, in Holywell Lane, was founded more than 100 years ago.

It currently has 200 members but many teams from across Swale and Medway also use its facilities.

David Tyler, chairman of Upchurch Cricket Club, said members had been working around the clock to gather the funding needed to get the batting nets up and running again.

He said: “It’ll cost £70,000 to install the new batting and training facility, and with this £10,000 from Swale Council, we’re one step closer to the amount we need.”

“We’ve raised £35,000 so far and are hoping to get all the funding we need within the next few months. We have more than 3,000 adults and young people that use our facilities and we hope to install the new equipment by spring next year in time for cricket season.”

Cllr Richard Palmer, cabinet member for the community, said the council’s contribution was an easy decision to make.

He said: “We made a commitment in our core priorities to promote people’s wellbeing and enjoyment through sporting and leisure activities that are accessible to all age groups and Upchurch Cricket Club is a well-loved staple in Swale.

“The actions of a few irresponsible criminals should not ruin the fun, fitness and mental wellbeing provided by the club to the many age groups that use it.”

Anyone wishing to make a donation should email upchurchcricketclub@outlook.com