WORK will soon start on a new £550,000 state-of-the-art clubhouse at Frocester Cricket Club.

The current building will be demolished after the club's last league match of this season on September 3, allowing for work to begin on the new pavilion.

It comes after around five years of fundraising and planning for the new building, which has seen the club raise around £300,000 towards the cost.

"It will be a massive boost, not only for the club but also for the wider community," said club chairman and player John Evans.

"The current facilities do not match the standard for a club of our size.

"The building is used for a number of community uses including a cycling group, a skittles club and for voting in elections.

"It will be a boost for the club and also all of the groups who use it."

The new pavilion, partly funded by grants from Inspired Facilities Sport England, the ECB and the Environmental Trust, will be open and ready for the start of the 2017 season.

It will include changing rooms, a balcony at first floor level and a permanent skittle alley.

Former England and Gloucestershire wicket keeper and artist Jack Russell, who grew up in Stroud, has shown his support for the new building and painted an impression of the new building.