Cricket star tests glass at The Point

Lancashire all-rounder Steven Croft has been bating a cricket ball against a panel of glass to show the double-glazed units, being used for The Point development at Old Trafford, will not smash.

When it was initially announced that the front of The Point, the new conference and events facility at Old Trafford cricket ground, would be made completely of glass, some questioned whether a large glass front could survive speeding cricket balls.

However, the manufacturers of the glass, M Price, were confident that Croft would inflict no damage and were proved right.

Peter Ash, sales manager for The Point, said: "Because of the nature of what happens on the pitch, it was key for M Price, BDP and Morgan Ashurst to work closely together to ensure the challenges of this complex project were addressed from design to completion."

"The catering staff are now reassured that flying cricket balls won't mean them having to pad up prior to commencing their silver service duties!"

Around 100 double-glazed units have been used on The Point weighing a total of 21 tons.

The Point venue is a £12m development and is part of the first phase of the redevelopment of the Old Trafford cricket ground.

The North West Development Agency has invested £2.65m to fund the upgrade of the cricketing facilities, which is due to be fully constructed by July this year.

The development is part of an overall £85m development of the local area including plans for a new Tesco store, which was given approval by Trafford Council's planning committee last Thursday.

The purpose-built facility will be able to accommodate a conference or a formal dinner for up to 1,000 people.