A cricket club has been bowled over by community support which has helped overcome the theft of a banner advertising its biggest ever match this summer.

Cromer's hosting of a star-studded Lashings World XI on August 11 suffered a setback when a banner promoting the event went missing.

But electrical company Bennett's stepped forward to buy a new one, helped by a quick turnaround by local printers Chevertons.

Organiser Michael Clarke said they were also buoyed up by new main sponsorship from Bakers and Larners and Crayford and Abbs, so 'what began as a disappointing week ended up with us realising the community support behind us.'

Bennett's Cromer manager Simon Morton said: 'As a local company we are always looking to help with community projects and clubs.' Ironically the stolen banner has since turned up having been found thrown over the wall of a nearby garden.

Names in the frame for the big match include former West Indies heroes Curtley Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, ex-England bowlers Devon Malcolm and Phil DeFreitas, and Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.

Corporate tickets – priced at £50, or £55 to be on a table with a international player, include a three-course lunch, cricket tea and drinks, For more information including group bookings contact Martin Braybrook on 01263 512342.