VILLAGERS are in a race against time to raise £45,000 to buy a piece of land and secure the future of their cricket club.

Two years ago a 99-year lease between Fringford Cricket Club and the Chinnor Trust to use the land for sport came to end.

Following discussions, a sale price was set at £45,000 for the club to purchase the ground and members have until August to raise the money.

Vice-captain Damian Leach said: “So far we have managed to raise nearly £13,000, which is a big effort but unfortunately still well short of the amount required.”

Now the 17-strong team and its dozens of supporters are planning to stage a string of fundraising events to boost the appeal.

On Sunday, Mr Leach, 37, who has played cricket for the village for the past 20 years, will cycle 100 miles, wearing his cricket whites, on a static bike outside the Butcher’s Arms pub.

And on Monday, there will be a Jubilee Portobello Road-style market at the cricket ground. On Saturday, June 23, the club also plans to stage a ball.

Mr Leach said: “The club means everything to us. It’s a focal point during the summer and the whole village come down to watch our home games.”

For more details or the donate to the appeal, see fringfordcricketclub.co.uk