Two Cockermouth School pupils will take part in Cumbria’s first ever game of blind cricket today. 

Aaron Hewitt, 12, of Little Broughton, is blind and Joe Girling, 15, of Salterbeck, Workington, is visually impaired.

They will join a team of visually impaired cricketers from Yorkshire in a demonstration game at the Keswick Cricket Festival.

The aim is to promote cricket for blind and visually impaired people.

While many counties have teams and world championships are held, it is not played in Cumbria.

Aaron said: “I have never played cricket before so it will be a first-time experience.

"I really enjoy swimming and would like to do more sport.”

The boys have had training sessions with cricket coach John Gibson, of Bothel.

Blind cricket is played with a bigger, softer ball than normal with ball bearings inside so it makes a noise.

The stumps are also taller and wider.

The boys will play against a team of professional and experienced Cumbrian cricketers.

The Cumbrians will wear sight-restricting goggles to try and replicate the vision of a visually impaired or blind person.

There are expected to be four blind people in the Yorkshire team, so four of the Cumbrians will wear blind goggles, and the others will wear visually impaired goggles.

The event has been organised by Doug Beebe, of Cockermouth, who will be umpiring.

He said: “I have been involved in blind cricket throughout the north of England. There is a lot of it being played but not in Cumbria. 

“If there is enough support we will see what we can do here.” 

The match will be held at 1pm at Fitz Park, Keswick, today.