A LARGS family have left sports fans bowled over - after all starring at the same cricket club.

Gareth Smith, 42, and his sons Rory, nine, and Frederick, 12, play together in a family-orientated development league at Inverclyde Cricket Club, which is based in Gourock.

Gareth, who originally hails from the cricketing mecca of Essex, moved to Largs after marrying wife Fiona and made sure the sport became a family affair.

With a degree in sports science, Gareth has helped coaching his sons and also has a top role at the club developing the juniors, while spouse Fiona also plays for Inverclyde's women team.

Gareth says: "We went along to the training sessions at Inverclyde Cricket Club early in the season, and received a warm welcome.

"I have played cricket throughout my teenage years and just love everything about the sport."

Rory, who attends Largs Primary, and Frederick, an S1 at Largs Academy, have taken the opportunity to join in.

Frederick is a bowler and Rory is a wicket keeper while father Gareth is an all rounder in the sport.

The sport has been making moves into the area with regular coaching events at Largs Academy over the summer months

Gareth says there will be further opportunities for kids to take up the game in Largs over the winter months.

He revealed: "We are looking at introducing a winter programme between January and March in the town which will have a more formal structure than the recent sessions in the town which proved popular.

"It is an accredited all-star cricket school programme we are looking at introducing."

Largs Cricket Club existed until the 1970s and while that might not return it seems the game is set for a rebirth locally.

Gareth said: "While I don't think the town ever have a club like that again, this is the next best thing. The fact that Cricket Scotland are looking at Largs to try and boost the sport is a positive sign.

"Parents and children can play together in a competitive environment and there can't be many other sports that can offer that in a team sport."

Frederick has shown real promise as a leg spin bowler, a rare talent even senior players.

Gareth explained: "It means that he can turn the ball a certain way when he bowls, it is something which Shane Warne perfected.

"It is quite exceptional as you are lucky if your cricket club has one leg spin bowler."

The club's juniors meet during the winter with access to modern up to date compliant cricket nets, bowling machine and other equipment.

Largs has a strong cricket history background with Tom Black being capped eight times for Scotland, having captained Greenock Cricket Club, while Iain Gibson of Largs is a UK CC level 2 coach.

Inverclyde Cricket Club’s last taster session in Largs on Saturday had 20 children in attendance, meaning that over the summer the club have introduced 22 new primary school children to the sport.

Gareth added: "Enthusiasm for the game in Largs is on a crest of a wave."

For more details, go to inverclydecricket.co.uk