Village cricketers have been backed by hundreds in fighting an office being built on their ground.

More than 700 objections have been made to the plan for the recreation ground in East Preston.

The parish council claims it needs a new office and thinks the best place for it would be next to the pitch in Sea Road.

It would mean the demolition of a memorial tree and bench honouring stalwart cricketer Jon Banfill who died.

East Preston Cricket Club believes the parish office would also encroach on its playing area.

Andy Reeves, club treasurer, said: "It is used by the stoolball team, the cricket club and is a recreation facility available to everyone in the village.

"Dog walkers use it, so do people just wanting to kick a ball around. It's a valuable resource for everybody.

"It's not the design or size of the office, it's that people don't want any building there at all.

"The parish council is supposed to be working for the benefit of the village and we just hope the council does the best thing for the people and withdraw its application."

The recreation ground was given to villagers by the Warren family who were influential landowners.

It has since been graced by famous cricketers including Sir Garfield Sobers and Tony Greig.

Mr Reeves said that of the hundreds of people they had approached in their campaign, only three refused their support. They included a parish councillor and a visitor to East Preston.

He added: "People fully support us and many feel the council has much better and cheaper options elsewhere than building here."

The council has been looking for a permanent base for several years and is currently working from a portable cabin in the village hall car park.

It has applied for permission to build in the north-east corner of the recreation ground.

The proposal is for a single-storey office with a meeting room, reception and storage space.

Representatives of the cricket club met with parish councillors about the situation.

Mr Reeves said: "We asked what would happen if we got 500 objections and they said they would consider withdrawing the application.

"We've got more than that, so hopefully the council will be true to their word.

"If they don't withdraw the application we will go to every single house in the village to get a letter of objection."

No-one from the parish council was available for comment.