Yorkshire under investigation by Fraud Squad

Fraud squad detectives have been called in to investigate financial irregularities at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

Official accounts for last year – when the Tykes made a loss of £46,000 despite winning the county championship for the first time in 33 years – show the club's shop and merchandise income had fallen from £32,422 to £460. There are reports that a figure of up to £100,000 is at the centre of the police enquiry.

Two months ago at the club's annual meeting, treasurer Peter Townend, referring to the drop in income from merchandising, said; "I apologise for our abysmal failure to conduct business successfully last year. The significant downturn in profit is a source of great concern and a comprehensive review of the procedures of our retail operation has been carried out."

Townend said an administrative failure was to blame, and that procedures were now in place to ensure the problem would not be repeated.