Bromyard Cricket Club face the prospect of losing their Worcestershire County League top-flight status.

The Herefordshire club finished two places above the drop zone, but could now be demoted if champions Kington are barred promotion to the Birmingham League.

The Worcestershire League have to accept two teams relegated from the Birmingham League - Ombersley and Hagley - and the top two sides from their own Division 2.

It could mean that as many as four Division 1 clubs will be banished to Division 2 to even up the numbers.

Worcestershire County League administrator Alan Bayley said: "We could have difficulty if the league champions, Kington, are not allowed to gain promotion."

He added: "Two sides will join us from the Birmingham League and, if the committee stick to what they have done in previous years, the top two sides from Division 2 will be promoted and the bottom two from Division 1 will be relegated, plus two sides directly above."

Bromyard spokesman Ashley Bullock said that he would be bitterly disappointed if his club lost their Division 1 status.

He added that Bromyard finished in ninth place, level on points with eighth-placed Chaddesley Corbett, but twice beat their Worcestershire rivals.

Meanwhile, Bayley has written to the England & Wales Cricket Board at Lord's, on behalf of the Worcestershire League and Kington, to appeal against the Birmingham League management board decision to deny entry to the former National Village champions. He had the full support of the Herefordshire and Worces-tershire Boards.

Bayley said: "We have set out the reason for Kington's rejection - because their ground is not available on two separate Saturdays for 2nd Xl matches. And we have calculated that Birmingham League fixtures will fall on the second Saturday in September in only eight of the next 20 years."

l Herefordshire have been drawn away to Warwickshire CB in the first round of the C & G Trophy 2003 on August 29 next season. The winners are away to Durham CB the same year. The third round follows in 2003.

l Former Herefordshire development officer Harshad Patel has left his post with the Worcester Board in a shock move.