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Limited overs cricket will return to the Lancashire League next season after new rule changes were rubber-stamped by member clubs last night.

Declarations have been scrapped and the league will revert back to 50 overs a side under a new points system after clubs voted in the changes at the league's AGM.

The new rules include:

• A return to limited overs cricket

• 10 points for a win, 7 for a tie, and 2 for a no result

• Up to five bonus points for a losing team in a completed game for batting (Ipt for 50 within target, 2pts for 40 up to 5pts for 10 runs within target) and bowling (1pt for five wickets up to 5pts for nine).

• Two points to either side for bowling the opposition out

• A minimum of 30 overs for a result A new system to calculate reduced targets in rain interrupted matches. (The target will be the number of overs lost multiplied by three quarters of the first innings run rate and taken from the first innings total)

• Fielding circles brought in (used before in the cup)

• The first three programmes when five or more games are washed out to be replayed on a fixed date

The changes will be warmly welcomed by spectators and players alike after last season's rules came under heavy criticism from all quarters.

Meanwhile, new chairman Burt Hanson was officially voted in at last night's meeting after Peter Westwell stepped down following nearly 11 years in office.

And Lionel Cooke was installed as secretary following the resignation of Rod Slater at the end of last season. Brian Murray is the new deputy chairman and David Shepherd has also taken over as assistant secretary.

But the league are still looking for a new sponsor for the Worsley Cup after Jennings ended their six year association with the competition last season.