The Tunbridge Wells Festival will include T20 and One-Day games, aswell as a Championship clash next July after funding for temporary seating was secured.

Cash for a temporary stand at the Nevill Ground has been underwritten by local businessman Freddie Cook, West Kent co-chairman of the Lord’s Taverners, the youth cricket and disability sports charity.

Mr Cook said: “I was saddened when the festival was retrenched last year and was determined to ensure that the Festival was maintained and in fact restored to its former glory.

“For the good of cricket throughout West Kent, boys and girls participation, the work of cricket charities like the Taverners and the vibrancy of Tunbridge Wells, it is important we have a full cricket festival.”

The 103rd annual Festival will now open with a NatWest T20 Blast fixture against Glamorgan at 5.30pm on Friday, July 17, and close with a 50-over Royal London One-Day Cup game against Essex Eagles at 10.30am on Sunday, July 26.

The games will be played either side of the LV= County Championship match against Essex from Sunday, July 19, to Wednesday 22 July.

Kent Cricket chief executive Jamie Clifford said: “We are very pleased to be bringing back a full cricketing programme for the 103rd Tunbridge Wells Cricket Festival, and are indebted to a very generous local supporter for making this possible.

“My hope is that we can now use this continuity regarding 2015 as a springboard to secure the ground for many years to come.”