A CRICKET club devastated by fire earlier this month has been handed a lifeline after Wiltshire Council said it might be able to fast track plans for a new building.

The pavilion at Melksham and Beanacre Cricket Club was gutted, and thousands of pounds worth of equipment was destroyed, when a blaze tore through the building on June 5. The council is now investigating whether a new pavilion can be built as part of the campus project.

Club chairman Gary Burns has met Wiltshire Council’s associate director Laurie Bell to see whether the cricket club can be added to the campus project and if the pavilion can be rebuilt ready for next season.

Mr Burns said: “The fire completely demolished the pavilion. In readiness for the new season the council is investigating the re-phasing of the campus project, which will involve building a cricket pavilion.

“They are looking into accommodating a pavilion to be built by April 2017. Nothing is guaranteed but that is what we discussed.

“There is a lot to be thought about and the planning permission needs to be sought, with what it will and will not include.”

The cause of the blaze, which started shortly after 2pm and lasted well into the evening is still unknown.

Despite initially continuing with games, the club has had to cancel several matches while the garage and pavilion were being torn down.

“It has been a horrendous couple of weeks, with a fence all around the field,” added Mr Burns.

“However, what was a dark tunnel now has some light at the end of it. It is getting better.”

“TIt is only the early stages and there are more conversations to be had as we move forward over the next couple of months.

“Right now, we are back to basics but people have been great.”

Since the fire the cricket club has received donations from Trowbridge Cricket Club, Leekes and councillor Jon Hubbard, who offered £500 for new equipment.