NESTON Cricket Club’s Summer Marquee returns this year with its 'most ambitious' programme of events ever.

The club has unveiled that the Marquee will now run over a fortnight and will have something to suit all ages and interests.

Kicking off with the annual Sporting Lunch on June 29, the club will welcome former England cricketer and Ashes winning captain Michael Vaughan as the guest speaker.

The first week will see the return of the hugely popular Parkgate Proms featuring the 32-piece L’ Orchestra dell Arte under the leadership of conductor and artistic director Edward Peak and the Summer Ball.

To meet growing demand the club has invested in a larger marquee that has the ability to seat 650 people.

There will also be a champagne bar courtesy of Laurent Perrier.

For the second week Parkgate Beer and Gin Festival on July 7 and 8 will christen the celebrations.

The festival will include more than 60 beers from local breweries such as the Brimstage Brewery, Cheshire Brewhouse and Spitting Feathers.

More than 25 gins will be available to sample including old favourites such as Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire and Hendricks.

All food during the fortnight will be provided by 'North West Caterer of the Year' Cheeky Chilli.

This year’s expanded marquee fortnight has been orchestrated by Craig Stubbs, who joined the club as general manager just under a year ago, deputy manager Kat Hussey and club president Tony Bush.

Tony said: “Marquee Week had established itself as one of the flagship events of its kind in the region and this year we are taking it to a whole new level.

“During the course of the two weeks, we expect more than 3,000 people to attend one or more events, all of which have been carefully designed to ensure that there is something for everyone.”

On Sunday July 9 the club will also play the host to the Parkgate Carnival which hopes to raise vital funds for local charities.

For more information or to buy tickets visit www.nestoncricketclub.co.uk