With its Georgian manor house, neat hedgerows and Cotswold views, North Nibley in Gloucestershire is one of England's prettiest cricket grounds.

But players in the village, near Wotton-under-Edge, have long been in need of better facilities.

So North Nibley Cricket Club, and the village football team, are launching a campaign, the Big Kick Off, to raise money to build a pavilion.

They aim to raise £100,000 to fund the pavilion on the recreation field, which will also be used by the village school.

North Nibley was runner-up in the Daily Telegraph's competition to find the country's most attractive cricket grounds in 2008.

The first XI captain, Adrian Sherrat, said: "To be playing cricket on one of the most attractive grounds in the country is a real privilege, but without a pavilion we can't provide proper hospitality to our visitors.

"Better facilities are essential to the club's future and it will be a proud day when we walk out from the new pavilion."

Appeal secretary, Roly Brown, said: "The recreation field is a tremendous asset to the village, supporting the various sports clubs and the village school."

The Big Kick Off's launch is at 7.30pm on Thursday, January 15, in North Nibley village hall, when the club will say how they plan to raise money.