CRIES of joy resounded around Pool-in-Wharfedale this week as the village watched its young female cricketers win £18,000 on TV.

Many of the Pool Cricket Club (PCC) players who had taken part in the filming of ITV show Fortune: Million Pound Giveaway gathered at Pool Sports and Social Club on Tuesday to watch themselves win over a panel of millionaires.

Viewers watched with a mixture of anticipation (those involved in filming knew the outcome but had to keep quiet until the programme aired) and nervousness to see whether or not the club would get the money needed for its Changing Rooms project.

But anyone with doubts need not have worried, as PCC Chairman Richard Parker, Child Welfare Officer and coach Wendi Bolton and 20 girl cricketers did themselves and Pool proud in front of the nation.

Mrs Bolton told the panel, which included entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne and Ann Summers founder Jacqueline Gold, that the club's current changing facilities were sub-standard and had to be shared by male and female players.

She said: "We're asking if we can please have £18,000 to help us move forward."

One of the cricketers said: "We really need these changing rooms and facilities because if we get into the premier league we wouldn't be able to play because the facilities are so bad.

"Everyone would have to go to other clubs and be split up and that would be really bad."

The girls also praised their coach. One said: "Wendy is brilliant, she's coached me since I was six. She's like a mother figure to us all."

Mr Parker was quick to respond to scepticism from some of the panel about the quality of women's cricket, said: "You need to come to Pool to see some of the women''s cricket that is being played, it's absolutely fantastic."

At one point the cricketers chanted: "give us a shower then we'll show you real girl power!" That was enough to win over Jacqueline Gold. She said: "I believe in girl power so I'm going to give you my money."

Duncan Bannatyne, meanwhile, also decided to award the money after challenging the girls. "Do you seriously think you're as good as the boys?", he asked. When they shouted back "Better!" he said: "I'll give you a chance to prove you're right by saying 'yes'."

The decision to award the £18,000 reduced some of the young cricketers to tears of joy and presenter Richard Madeley congratulated them on "a very good pitch". "You bowled very well," he said.

Speaking after the show, Mr Parker said: "We are delighted to have won this money.

"We've optimistically begun the changing rooms project now, and this money make it all achievable."