A financial adviser has agreed to sponsor one of the changing rooms at the new clubhouse proposed for Claygate Recreation Ground, in a deal worth £2,500.

Surbiton-based Walpole Financial was the first company to put its support behind the venture, which was given planning permission earlier this year.

Secretary of Claygate Cricket Club, which uses the grounds, said: “In the past couple of weeks we have two major pieces of encouraging news, with the grants from Elmbridge Council and Claygate Parish Council which together have taken us more than a third of the way towards our target.

“This is our first commercial sponsorship announcement and we hope this will pave the way for others.”

The clubhouse will take between nine months and a year to complete and will replace the existing building, which is more than 60 years old and in poor condition.

As well as housing the cricket club, it will also be home to Claygate Royals Football Club.

Ollie Slade, partner at Walpole Financial, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the cricket club in this way and helping them towards their objective of a new home. We look forward to a close association with the club and members of the club and hope that both club and company will benefit significantly from the arrangement.”