ACCRINGTON Cricket Club will be out to reclaim the Lancashire League title - but the league will have a new name for next season.

Daniel Thwaites has announced a three-year sponsorship deal of the Lancashire League – marked with a signing ceremony attended by Red Rose favourite Gary Keedy.

From next season, the local cricket competition will be known as the ‘Thwaites Original Lancashire League’ – celebrating the partnership of two of the region’s most historic institutions.

The tie-up brings together over 200 years brewing expertise and more than a century of competitive local cricket.

Thwaites will also sponsor the Worsley Cup - where Accrington are again defending their crown - and the Twenty20 contest.

Sales and marketing director for Daniel Thwaites, Brian Jenkins, said: "This sponsorship demonstrates our continued investment in local sport and community, from grass roots level right up to first class grade.

"We were delighted Gary was able to join us to mark the partnership being a great servant of Lancashire and in his beneficiary next year."

The Lancashire Cricket League, formed in 1892, includes four Hyndburn clubs in Accrington, Enfield, Church and Rishton.

It has a long history of drawing international stars to its teams’ ranks for their one professional player slot, including the likes of Shane Warne, Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd and Allan Donald.

Lancashire League chairman, Bert Hanson, said: "I am absolutely delighted that the League has become associated with a company of the stature and standing of Daniel Thwaites.

"And we look forward to a successful working relationship with our new sponsors."