WINTERBOURNE'S Phil Purnell has been invited to a star-studded ceremony at Lord’s next month after winning a NatWest Outstanding Services to Cricket Award (OSCA).

He is among six of Gloucestershire club cricket’s unsung heroes to have been rewarded for their commitment to developing the grass roots game and the volunteers will celebrate their achievements at the Home of Cricket.

People are often credited with helping to build a club but few can claim to have done it literally. Purnell is the exception.

He won the OSCA for the NatWest Cricket Force category after taking the lead role in building Winterbourne's new pavilion.

Club secretary Liz Bracey said: “Just over 10 years ago when the Winterbourne junior section was launched and quickly started to expand, Phil had a vision to improve our existing rented facilities.

“He desired an additional playing square and imagined owning our own pavilion. At the start of the 2014 season we achieved both.

"Although there have been many contributors few will challenge me when I say it has been Phil’s passion that has seen has through.

“Phil has tirelessly laboured as a roofer, floor-layer, carpenter, painter and decorator combined with being the unpaid project manager.

“All this has resulted in our fantastic new home.”

Jim Downes, who has been involved in the organisation of cricket leagues and umpiring associations for over 40 years. won the Leagues and Boards award, while Carsons & Mangotsfield's Elliott Robertshaw took the Young Volunteer honour.

Zia Ullah of Pak Bristolians took the Behind the Scenes accolade, Winchcombe's Brian Morris won the Building Partnerships award and Cranham's Buzz Pockett was recognised for his efforts with a Lifetime Achiever award.

Gloucestershire Cricket Board clubs and programmes officer Lisa Pagett said: “The NatWest OSCAs are a wonderful way of honouring the people whose hard work and dedication is the driving force behind recreational cricket.

“Too often their work is taken for granted but the OSCAs allow them a chance to get the recognition they richly deserve.

“Once again our Gloucestershire winners are an inspiring group of people who have made significant and lasting differences to recreational cricket whether through our clubs, leagues, committees or associations.”