CRICKET-MAD youngsters from schools in the Vale of White Horse are being given the chance to follow in the footsteps of England star Andrew Strauss.

The Oxfordshire Cricket Board and Radley College Cricket Academy was launched this week on the pitches which Radley old boy Strauss honed his cricketing skills.

At the launch, 200 children from seven local primary schools Botley, Steventon, Dunmore, St Edmunds, Thameside, Thomas Reade and Culham primaries learned new skills and played Kwik and Inter cricket, under the watchful eye of England & Wales Cricket Board-qualified coaches.

Hard ball cricket will be introduced at later sessions.

Angus McPhail, warden of Radley College, hopes the initiative will encourage further generations of youngsters to take up cricket as a sport.

He said: "I hope the children will feel inspired by the facilities at Radley College and their participation here.

"If they go on playing and enjoying regular cricket, even possibly going on to play for their county or country, then our hopes today will have been fully realised."

Rupert Evans, OCB's cricket development manager, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for OCB and Vale Cricket Development Group to work in partnership with Radley College.

"The scheme will enable OCB to increase active participation with the game at primary and secondary school age groups.

"It will also allow local children to get their first taste of playing cricket on arguably one of the best cricket grounds in the country.

"OCB hopes that the partnership with Radley College will be long and successful and one which will hopefully produce the next Andrew Strauss."

Vale primary and secondary schools wishing to take part should contact Evans on 01865 741393.