An MP has joined calls to allow the “immediate resumption of village and amateur cricket”.

In a strong letter to the Minister for Sport, Harlow MP Robert Halfon and other Conservative MPs as they urged the Government to work with cricketing authorities to ensure games can be played in the coming weeks.

They wrote that “the game of cricket itself is non-contact and players are spread out in wide fielding formations exclusively outdoors where the risk of transmission is already vanishing small”.

Commenting on the letter, Mr Halfon said: “Cricket is one of our most loved sports and I thoroughly enjoy visiting our cricket clubs on a summer’s afternoon to watch a game. Over the past few months, I have been working hard to ensure that our clubs have the support they need through this difficult time.

“It has been remarkable to see the incredible work from volunteers and club officials to keep our clubs above water and I pay tribute to everyone who has worked tirelessly to do so.

“Nevertheless, the most important thing now is to allow clubs to resume playing and I hope that the Minister will outline guidance for this immediately.

“If any resident or club has any concerns or questions, I would encourage them to contact me directly and I very much look forward to visiting our brilliant clubs soon."