More than 40 children have been emulating some of their heroes by putting bat to ball in Ben Rhydding this week to improve their cricket skills.

The youngsters have been taking part in the eighth annual coaching week run by the Ben Rhydding Cricket Club, which finished today and is held in conjunction with the Ilkley Summer Festival.

And although the next Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Strauss or Stuart Broad may not have been discovered, organiser Frank Taylor said the 45 children, aged from seven to 13, had a great time as the weather was mostly on the coaches’ side.

“It’s going extremely well,” he said earlier this week. “We’ve had a nice spread of all the ages and abilities.

“We’ve been offering advice and encouragement to youngsters who have played before and we’re helping to develop their skills and we’ve also been encouraging and helping those who have never played.”

Children who have taken part will each be presented with a certificate.