Paint and putty are the only things holding together the existing pavilion at Porth-leven Cricket Club, it was claimed by a member of the club's committee hoping to build a new facility on the site.

Brian Warden, part of the committee in charge of plans for a new pavilion at the Methleigh Bottoms site, told the Packet that they had already been donated a suitable building to use and were now just looking for the necessary planning permission to allow the club's facilities to enter the 21st century.

Mr Warden said: "Our old one is in a really bad state. It's only paint and putty holding it together at the moment. We have got an old pre-fab about 50 years old."

He explained that Leach Pottery in St Ives had given the club a showroom and that the structure could be moved to Porthleven. The wooden structure would be left in a wood finished and just stained, while the roof could be either grey or green, to fit into the surrounding area. The project was expected to cost in the region of £10,000 to £20,000, which the club would hope to cover with grant funding.

The original plan was for the club to continue using the existing pavilion until the end of this season, in August, and then knock the building down and put the new structure on top. However, it was feared that with the onset of winter and bad weather slowing the progress, there would not be sufficient time for the pavilion to be finished for the 2008 season, starting in April.

The new plan, if they are given the go ahead, is for foundations to be dug and the new pavilion built on land behind the existing building, which could then be used as a patio for players.

Mr Warden said that the new pavilion was essential if the club was to move up a league, to the second division, as Cricket Association rules and regulations state that both teams must look out over the field. Over the last two seasons Porthleven Cricket Club has risen from the fifth league to the third league and now hope to continue their run of success in the coming season by moving up again.

Mr Warden said: "I'm very hopeful. The council seems to think it is a bit of an eyesore out there at the moment and the other one would really make it a little bit better."

Last Wednesday (April 11) he attended a meeting of Porthleven town council, in the hope of getting their backing for the project. The eventual decision on whether planning permission will be granted will be taken by the planning committee of Kerrier district council.

Porthleven members were fully behind the project. Chairman Mark Berryman said: "It's well known how well the club are doing at the moment and the facilities are woeful."

Councillor Vince Curnow added: "I think we should give this our full support. Looking at the plans I think it's something we badly need and it's something we should give our full support."