A regional daily has launched a unique fantasy cricket competition based around a league on its patch.

The contest, covered by the Bolton News, allows readers to create their own fantasy team from clubs playing in the Bolton Cricket League – winning points depending on the performances of the players they select.

A total of 150 readers are allowed to enter, and must pick a team of 11 players from the first teams of the 20 clubs.

They are restricted to picking one player from each club, while five players must be from the Premier Division and five from the second division with one professional allowed.

The overall winner at the end of the season will win a £400 cash prize provided by a timber merchant which is sponsoring the competition.

The News runs stories, pictures, features, columnists, scorecards and statistics related to the league six days a week.

Head of sport Neil Bonnar said: “We have a close working relationship with officials of the league and it was they who came to the paper with this idea.”

He added: “The paper will run stories about it leading up to it starting then will publish up-to-date tables of the teams each week throughout the local cricket season.

“The fact the paper is running stories and tables in its print and online versions is the reason the competition was able to secure a sponsor and, therefore, the reason the league is able to provide a £400 prize to the winners.

“A case of newspaper and a local sporting league working together to provide interest and fun for the community.”