Gloucestershire CCC have announced today that the Gloucester Cricket Festival will continue for at least one more year. In 2000 it will be staged once again at Kings School Archdeacon Meadow over the period 23-28 May. The opponents will be Worcestershire in the 4-day County Championship (23-27 May) and Lancashire in the National League (28 May).

Colin Sexstone, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire, says:

"The club is very keen to continue playing cricket in Gloucester and will do everything possible to make the festival a success. However in recent years the festival has not received the local support it deserves and last year, in particular, was extremely disappointing resulting in a considerable loss. Therefore, although the festival will continue for another year its future will totally dependent upon the level of local support it receives from Members, Spectators and Sponsors alike.

The message to cricket lovers in Gloucester is clear, if you want to retain First Class Cricket within the city then you must support next year's festival."