Following a successful fundraising campaign, the historic pavilion at St Albans Cricket Club is being completely refurbished ahead of the new season.

More than 100 supporters rallied to the cause, raising £6,332 in two months and smashing the initial £2,500 target in just 48 hours.

According to the online fundraising page for the project, the bar and social area at the “beautiful and historic” Clarence Park pavilion had gone more than three decades without a new lick of paint, meaning it had become “not a particularly attractive place to spend any amount of time”.

However thanks to the many generous donations – some from recently-married couples who had celebrated their wedding reception at the pavilion – work has now begun on replacing some of the worn-out features.

Members of local business networking group BNI offered their services to help with building, plastering, plumbing and electrical work.

Additional funding has been provided by sponsors Spire Hospital Harpenden and Shredded Wheat.

Paul Sands, chairman of St Albans Cricket Club, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of those who have donated to this initiative, and by the support given to us by the volunteers from BNI and Volunteer It Yourself, without whom we couldn’t have realised such an ambitious project.

“We see ourselves as very much a part of the wider St Albans community, and have been humbled by how much goodwill there has been towards what we are trying to do.”

The renovation project will see the flooring, furniture and lighting in the pavilion replaced, the bar area toilets made unisex, and the whole facility refreshed with a new coat of paint.

If all goes to plan, the works to “provide a comfortable and welcoming environment” for teams and club members to relax in after a game will be completed by April 21.

Is it hoped that the refurbishment will also make the popular venue more attractive for people who may want to hire it for events, thereby bringing in more revenue for the club.