MIKE ATHERTON, the former England captain, presented certificates to three North Devon cricket coaches.

The awards recognised the outstanding services to grassroots cricket by Mark Overton, of Northam, Martin Brice, from Barnstaple, and Jan Witheridge, of West Buckland.

The coaches, who are part of the Sky Sports England and Wales Cricket Board Coach Education Programme, met Atherton during the third Test between England and Pakistan at the Oval.

The work of more than 100 coaches across the country is being acknowledged by the programme's Reward and Recognition scheme.

Overton, Brice and Witheridge are involved in running the North Devon Youth League and North Devon District Coaches Association.

Witheridge said: "Coaches do what they do, never expecting any recognition, so when it does come it's a really nice surprise."

The programme aims to attract and train coaches at all levels of cricket.

Since Sky's sponsorship began in 2006, more than 23,000 coaches have gone through the scheme, more than triple the original target.

For more information about the programme, visit www.ecb.co.uk/development/coach-education