CONCERNED bosses at Netherton Cricket club are hoping for £3,500 worth of council cash to replace "eyesore" security fencing after fears over youngsters' safety.

A 30-metre stretch of security fencing at the Highbridge Road venue has become "delipidated" and now concerned club chiefs have applied for replacement fencing to be installed before a child is injured.

Club officials claim there are numerous holes in the badly damaged fencing and hope to to secure the capital grant funding.

Now the application will be mulled over by members of Central Dudley Area Committee next Tuesday night (January 22).

The pitch at Netherton Cricket Club, which was founded in 1866, is used by numerous town schools including Hillcrest, Netherton C of E and Netherton CE Primary School.

Dennis Lewis, club secretary, said: "It's an eyesore.

"It's a safety issue. Access can be gained through this fencing, its crumbled and delipidated. Its serving no purpuse at all.

"We just want to improve the location.

"It's out of our reach financially.

"Without help and support for funding its a struggle."

Netherton, Woodside and St Andrews councillor Mahbubur Rahman, a member of the area committee, has backed the application. He said: "I feel that we must work together to ensure that our local children can play and enjoy cricket at Netherton Cricket Club on a daily basis without fear of their safety and security."

Central Dudley Area Committee takes place next Tuesday at Dudley Concert Hall, St James's Road, Dudley, from 6.30pm.