YOUNG cricketers keen to become the next Kevin Pietersen or ‘Freddie’ Flintoff are being helped on their way by a jeweller.

With the Ashes underway and the Twenty20 World Cup just finished, cricket fever is gripping the nation and Walton’s of Chester are playing their part.

Walton’s, which has notched up an unbeaten century of its own this year having been in business since 1909, is supporting junior cricket by sponsoring the shirts of the U13 and U15 teams at Barrow Cricket Club.

Richard Hogben, general manager of Waltons of Chester, said: “We are delighted to be supporting young cricketers at Barrow and hope they become stars of the future. We are all looking forward to the Ashes over the summer; it is also important to support cricket at grass roots level, with cricket kit being an additional cost in this financial climate.”

Phil Noble, fundraising officer for Barrow Cricket Club, added: “We are pleased that Waltons of Chester has sponsored the junior team shirts and look forward to a sparkling season.

“Waltons of Chester has supported Barrow Cricket Club for over a decade, providing trophies for the presentation evenings.”