A century-old cricket club has been saved from closure after a costly lawsuit was dropped.

Members of 130-year-old Chingford Cricket Club, in Kimberley Way, warned last year that the club's future was in doubt if it was forced to pay a £53,000 bill for tree root damage to an extension at the back of a couple's home.

The club's grounds are owned by Waltham Forest council and feature 22 protected ancient Oak trees, which date back at least 85 years before the road and subsequent homes were built in the 1950s. 

In 2010, the club which once counted Sir Winston Churchill as patron, received a letter from Halifax Home Insurers claiming damage to the extension, but the club has been unable to get insured for tree damage since 2009 because of known subsidence.

Lyons Davidson Solicitors was hired to chase the £53,000 bill, which included £13,000 in interest. 

MP Iain Duncan Smith and Conservative group leader for Waltham Forest, Cllr Matt Davis, offered Halifax a sponsorship deal in an attempt to bring an end to the saga, but this was rejected in April. 

Now the dispute has been resolved "amicably", according to a spokeswoman for Halifax, but further details have not been made public. 

Club patron Mr Duncan Smith welcomed the news when he visited the grounds on Friday (June 5).  

He said: "I am enormously pleased that after my discussions with Halifax, they have resolved the matter so that the threat hanging over the club and the club's finances is no longer there. 

"Halifax are no longer demanding the money, therefore the club will not be forced to pay this bill which would have resulted in them closing the cricket club. 

"Now the cricket club will be to able to continue doing all its good work with young Chingford cricketers and I thank Halifax for being so reasonable."   

"I would like to thank Halifax for being so reasonable."

Life vice-president Jeffery Runciman said he was glad the "uncomfortable" saga has come to an end, adding: "We are all very pleased that this issue has been resolved. 

"Thank you to Halifax."

To avoid further disputes, Councillor Matt Davis is now calling on the council to take responsibility for the maintenance of the 22 ancient trees.   

He added: "They didn't want to pay the Halifax bill, but that is not there anyone, so going forward it would be reasonable for the council not to face this dilemma again.

"The council insures hundreds of trees, another 22 should not be a major problem." 

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

From left: Cllr Matt Davis, John Woodland, MP Iain Duncan Smith, Jeffery Runciman, Derek Lacey and Denise Woodland at Chingford Cricket Club.