More than 40 clubs in Norfolk have signed up to a new initiative to encourage youngsters to take up cricket this summer.

All Stars Cricket is a national scheme which has been launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to get boys and girls interested in the game between the ages of five and eight.

The nationwide programme is targeting getting 50,000 children playing this year, getting under way in May. After signing up, youngsters will receive a cricket 'back-pack' with a bat, ball and everything they need to try the game for the first time.

They will then start an eight-week programme at their local participating centre, with the emphasis placed firmly on learning how to play the game in a fun and safe environment, as well as learn social development skills through team sport.

Kieron Tuck, development director for the Norfolk Cricket Board, explained: 'It is a fun and active way to develop your child's skills, and through our eight-week programme they will learn lots – as well as make new friends – in a safe and inclusive environment.

'All girls and boys are welcome, and each registered child will receive a pack of cricket goodies including a cricket bat, ball, backpack, water bottle, personalised shirt and cap to keep so that they can continue their love of cricket when they go home.

'Locally in Norfolk there are over 40 All Stars Cricket clubs/centres that will be delivering the programme starting in May 2017.'

The programme has been developed with input from former England captain and the ECB's director of cricket Andrew Strauss.

Tuck continued: 'This is the most exciting and high profile participation programme that cricket has ever seen and we are delighted by the way that local clubs have embraced this opportunity. We are looking forward to working with these clubs to deliver outstanding cricket experiences to potentially hundreds of children across Norfolk in 2017 and beyond.

'Cricket has so much to offer children as they develop and we are confident that parents will want their children to be part of something genuinely fun and exciting this summer.'

Parents can register their kids at allstarscricket.co.uk.