CHIPPING Sodbury Cricket Club is hoping to build a new sports pavilion to go with a recently laid second pitch at The Ridings playing fields.

The 150-member club has submitted a planning application for a one-level building with changing facilities and a kitchen on the north side of the Wickwar Road site.

Club leaders say the pavilion and the completed pitch are much needed to meet the club's steadily growing membership.

The club currently has four men's league teams, two mixed friendly teams, a ladies' team and five youth teams.

David Reynolds, a member of the management team at the club, said: "A steady increase in members has meant the club must extend its facilities.

"We had a second pitch put down in 2006 but we now need a pavilion to go along with it to make up for a lack of changing facilities.

"Players using the new pitch have been forced to borrow changing facilities from other clubs.

"Having a second pavilion would solve the problem as well as providing a platform for the club's future."

The Ridings playing fields are owned by Chipping Sodbury Town Trust and used by many sports clubs in the town.

The new pavilion would be paid for through fundraising by the club and contributions from charitable organisations.

It would also be used by the Hogweed Trotters Road Running Club, who currently share the existing pavilion.

Mr Reynolds added: "The pavilion would keep up the good level of sports provision in the town."

The club hope the new pavilion will be open by April this year in time for the new season.

Anyone interested in joining Chipping Sodbury Cricket Club should contact club secretary Clive Reynolds on 01454 314147.

Chipping Sodbury Football Club has also submitted a planning application to extend its clubhouse on The Ridings playing field to provide a boiler room and screening for the changing room entrance.