The long walk back to the pavilion is a common experience for most cricketers, but two members of Biddestone Cricket Club took it a step further with a 103-mile trek.

Former player Andrew Short, 68, and first team regular Dwaine Perry, 30, embarked on the six-day walk from Lord’s Cricket Ground in London to the club to raise funds for a new pavilion.

They arrived home last Friday, where they were met by club members and supporters.

Mr Short said: “It went really well. On three of the days we did a good 20-plus miles, as we wanted the last day to be not too hectic.

“I’ve not done anything like this before, but we wanted to do something which was difficult, but still achievable within a week.

“One of our former players Chris Smith has just been appointed manager of the media centre at Lord’s, and he invited us to start off there on Sunday, April 13.

“Thirty people were at Chippenham Rugby Club to meet us on Friday. They walked to the village with us, then another group met us all at the Biddestone Arms for a really nice reception.”

The club received planning permission for its new wooden pavilion last week, which will cost around £60,000 to build.

It has already received £5,000 from Corsham Area Board, with another £5,100 coming from the walk.

Mr Short said: “We have a very old wooden pavilion, and we are desperately in need of more changing facilities. We had a lot of support from the village, the club and ex-players. We have an old players’ match coming up when a lot of the guys will be coming back for a fundraising day, and we’re having a match against the Bath Rugby team on August 7 which should raise more.”