The chances of a women's cricket club being set up in York have been boosted by the decision to continue training sessions for women and girls.

The aim of the organisers now is to enter a team into a competition next season, to provide the players with regular competitive matches.

York Cricket Club, with sponsorship from York Area Cricket Council, held three recent development sessions for women and girls at their Clifton Park ground, and as some 50 players turned out, the club now believe a women's team can prosper in the city.

Club chairman Chris Houseman said: "We were greatly encouraged not only by the numbers but also the enthusiasm of the players so we decided to keep up the momentum with a view to having a team in a formal league next season."

The remainder of this season will be used for development and training in readiness for competition next year.

Yorkshire County Board cricket development officer Ian Dews said: "It is an English Cricket Board objective to expand women's cricket and I welcome their initiative to develop a women's club for the city of York."

The training sessions will be held on Wednesdays, at 6pm, starting tonight. They will be under the supervision of York Coaches Association chairman Bob Paddison. All are welcome and anyone wanting details should contact Chris Houseman on 01904 610258.