YOUTH cricket in the Forest is booming, with more primary school children playing the game than ever before.

That's the view of Chris Germaine, who runs the district under-15s team and is also chairman of the Gloucestershire Cricket Board's Schools & Community Development Group.

Chris said: "The take-up for this year's festivals was beyond expectation, across the county we had 236 teams.

"The game is growing massively in the Forest, what we have to do now is develop better links between schools and clubs."

A number of festivals have already been held, with Tibberton Primary School winning a girls only competition at Newnham CC, and Redmarley triumphing at Newent CC.

The Lydney cricket festival was won by Primrose Hill.

More talented youngsters from the Dean are also forcing their way into county age-group teams.

Jack Cowles, a 16-year-old from Newent, is being watched closely at the highest county level, while Sedbury 17-year-old Mitchell Harris is part of the Gloucestershire under-17s set-up.

Corse & Staunton pair Tim Dannatt (under-16s) and Matthew Cox (under-12s) have been playing regularly for Gloucestershire teams this season, as has Newent under-13s player James Lifely.

It's not just the boys doing well, either.

Parkend's Amelia Andrews, 14, is one of the county's best young female prospects.

She is training with the England squad, as well as starring for Gloucestershire's girls and Parkend's under-15 boys.

The Leadon Vale Youth League is looking to grab children at an even younger age by launching an under-nines league.

A series of kwik cricket World Cups for under-nines will be held across the county this summer, including one at Dymock CC on August 21.

Players can enter individually as well as part of a team.

Chris said: "Sport England's emphasis is now moving away from youth cricket to adult cricket.

"That means the emphasis is changing from getting youngsters into the game to keeping them playing at adult level.

"What we have to do is try and get clubs to look at their sustainability and take the long-term view."