THANET Youth Cricket’s development officer Graham Gayton is leaving his post this month after a decade in the job.

Mr Gayton, who has lived in the area for 22 years, is retiring from his job as a teacher at Sir Roger Manwoods Grammar School in Sandwich after 40 years and relocating to spend more time with his teenage sons. They live in Cornwall.

Mr Gayton has spent the past two decades travelling to Perranporth for holidays and plays for the local cricket club.

He said: “Thanet Youth Cricket is in good shape. It has a wonderful group of cricket lovers on its committee and a group of qualified and dedicated coaches.

“There are also plenty of enthusiastic young cricketers in the clubs and schools and parents who value the game and its traditional values, who want their children to be involved, because it encourages sportsmanship and self control.”

He added: “I am proud of our achievements and leave with some good memories of Thanet children playing cricket.

“Youth cricket in Thanet will continue with a new development officer at the helm after Christmas and I wish him or her well for the future.”

The post will advertised shortly but if anyone is interested in applying please contact Claire Gould at the KCB on 01227 456886.