Barnet Council and one of the borough's leading cricket clubs have struck a deal to safeguard the sport in Barnet for the foreseeable future.

Finchley Cricket Club is set to agree a 150-year lease on the Arden Field ground at East End Road, which is regarded as among the best club grounds in southern England.

This means the club, established in 1832, will have a secure long-term future for its three senior teams and five junior sides.

Council leader Mike Freer said: "Barnet Council's policy is to give long leases to well-established organisations offering significant benefit to the community and Finchley Cricket Club fits the bill perfectly.

"I'm extremely pleased that this agreement has been reached and trust the club will continue its excellent work providing opportunities for young people long into the future."

Club chairman Mike Milton said: "We are delighted to have secured our long-term tenure at Arden Field and wish to thank the council for their assistance in making this possible.

"Finchley Cricket Club has produced a number of cricketers in the past who have gone on to play county cricket - most recently Ben Scott, now at Middlesex, Josh Knappett at Worcester and Steve Selwood, who played for Derbyshire.

"The new lease will provide a substantial boost to our plans for the development of our young cricketers and allow us to maintain our position as one of the leading cricket clubs in London."