Thirty-six years of indoor cricket at the YMCA in Maidstone have come to an end following a rise in fees.

The Maidstone District Cricket Partnership have shut down their league and will fold.

They were asked to pay £50 an hour, up from a discounted rate of £38, when the new season starts in October.

The league hired the main hall at the centre for two-and-a-half hours on Sunday mornings, during which two six-a-side matches are played.

The increase would mean players sharing a £125 bill, rather than the current £95, and competition secretary Cyril Davey says it’s simply too much.

Davey, 82, who has organised the league for the past 21 years and sponsored it for nine, said: “We’ve been priced out. It’s going up from £38 an hour to £50 - most can’t afford that.

“Some clubs have got youngsters playing and parents on low incomes - it becomes too much.

“Out of the 16 clubs I’ve written to, only three said they would carry on and that’s because they’re sponsored.

“So that’s it, after 21 years I won’t be running it any more and the Maidstone District Cricket Partnership will be dissolved in two or three weeks’ time.”

Davey wrote to YMCA chief executive Ally Bantock informing her of the league’s decision.

Replying to Davey, Bantock wrote: “I am sorry to hear that you are unable to continue with cricket at Maidstone YMCA, particularly after all these years. A sad day indeed!

“Thank you for your contribution to this wonderful game, we will miss you. I wish you all the best for the future.”

Davey, who will continue to play outdoor cricket for Loose, was presented with a special award by league chairman Paul Budd on the final weekend of the season.

Budd travelled from his home in Eastbourne for the league swansong, which saw Bearsted crowned champions.