LANCASHIRE Cricket Club has almost doubled its operating profit to £2.347million.

The club has seen profits rise by 92 per cent to the end of December 31, 2017.

The reasons included a variety of factors, such as increased test match returns, a better performance by the Lancashire team in the County Championship, the completion a new 150-bed hotel and increased use of the conference and events facilities.

The Roses T20 match generated a record 20,000 attendance.

The Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, which opened for business at the end of August last year, generated £1 million in room revenue in the first four months, with an average occupancy rate of 61 per cent.

Meanwhile, the conference and events activity saw a significant uplift with record Christmas party sales for a second year running.

The club also hosted the One Love Manchester event following last May’s bombing of the Manchester Arena.

Club finance director Lee Morgan said the future looks bright with four test marches over the next five years including an Ashes match in 2023.

The ground would also become a host venue for a new T20 competition.

He said the club’s exciting crop of new young players, some of whom had been picked England for the recent Lions Tour, would further help enhance the club’s performance on the field in the seasons to come.

Mr Morgan added: “With the completion of the new hotel bringing the lengthy development period to a conclusion, the club is now able to fully focus on maximising the return on its investment by growing its business activities for the future benefit of cricket at both elite and recreational level.

“It is important that the club uses its world-class facilities to create a lasting legacy with Old Trafford being the centre for cricket in the North West.”