Building work on a new multi-million conference centre at Lancashire County Cricket Club's Old Trafford Ground commenced today.
The beginning of the £13 million development was marked by sports secretary Andy Burnham, who cut the first turf to kick off phase one of the project, the Press Association reports.
A new conference centre and events suite at the ground is the first stage of a £200 million upgrade of the stadium.
Once finished, the events suite, officially named The Point, will be one of the largest purpose-built facilities in the country.
"The whole vision here looks absolutely fantastic," Mr Burnham told the news provider.
"It's a real privilege for me to be here. I spent so much of my youth here," he added.
Natwest have provided £10 million of funding for the first phase of the scheme.
Lee Morgan, finance and operations director of the club, said the conference and events element of Lancashire's day-to-day operation was an important part of the club's business strategy.
