Essex County Cricket Club will make local history on Monday afternoon/evening by staging the first ever floodlit cricket match at the County Ground in Chelmsford. A bumper crowd is anticipated for the event with good pre-match ticket sales and a large take up of tickets expected on the night itself.

Commercial Manager, Dave Comley, said:

"It has been a hugely anticipated event. We have pre-sold a considerable quantity of tickets and our corporate facilities have totally sold out, including extra marquees brought in specially for the occasion."

Essex and the competition sponsors, Norwich Union, are lining up a large amount of entertainment for the evening: "We will have a parachute jump by the Shepherd Neame Spitfires, live bands, bouncy funzone areas, displays of Kwik Cricket on the outfield and much more, as well as the giant replay screens and NUL razzmatazz which follows these matches. It promises to be a great family evening out."

The Club has no parking available at the County Ground, but has organised the opening of the Meteor Way Car Park with additional lighting for members, and has also arranged for the Multi-Storey car park to stay open in the town centre until 11.15pm.

"Floodlit cricket is a fantastic experience and one for the cricket fan and the fan of the big occasion alike. It's the first at Chelmsford and everyone at the Club from players to staff are greatly looking forward to it."

Tickets will be available on the day priced £14 for adults and £9 for juniors. Gates will open at 2pm. Tickets may still be pre-ordered on 01245 254010.

© Essex CCC