RUVEN Peiris has signed up for a fourth season with Church Cricket Club.

The Sri Lankan has been a popular figure at Blackburn Road and been a regular top performer.

In 2004, Peiris re-wrote the club's record books when he made 1295 league runs for the season, taking the 1990 record off Geoff Parker.

It was the same year Church finished as runners-up to Haslingden in the Lancashire League and he hit the highest individual league score of 172 not out against East Lancs. He also took 59 wickets in league and cup.

In 2005, Peiris again got 1128 league runs - 1301 in all competitions - and another 59 wickets.

This season, despite Church struggling in the lower end of the table, chairman Don Holt is hoping Peiris can again break the club's league record.

He has 879 league runs to his name with nine games left.

"I think he can do it," said the chairman. "We have every confidence in him."

The club's press officer Jack Houldsworth is delighted that Peiris has re-signed.

"He is a model professional. He is both a gentleman off the cricket field and on it. He is popular with the players.

"He has done a lot of coaching since he came over here too and organised a charity game last year against an Australian touring side to raise money after the tsunami. It helped to buy computers in schools in Sri Lanka.

"He is an admirable professional and we are pleased he has decided to return."

Church are holding a 20/20 match tonight when the Under 30s take on a team of Over 30s including former stars Mark Aspin, Trevor Hatch, Alan Rawcliffe, Alec Holt and Simon Hargreaves. After the action Sri Lankan curry will be served. Admission is free and the action gets underway at 6.15pm.