T-shirts, sun cream... Lord's branded new start

Lord's is planning to sell its own line of goods including polo shirts and sun cream.

The MCC, based at Lord's, is trying to be more financially savvy by cashing in with champagne and wine which bear its logo - the ground's weather vane.

Fans will be able to purchase the new drinks from supermarkets and off licences as well at major grounds during next year's Ashes series and Twenty20 competition.

Keith Bradshaw, the club's secretary, said: "If we do this properly we can create one of the world's leading brands. Designers have been into Lord's to see how we can maximise the potential of each brand."

The logo will also appear on polo shirts and sun cream along with a number of other non-cricket related goods.

Jon Robinson, the club's marketing manager, said: "We are trying to build a Lord's hierarchy."

Money raised from the venture will not go towards the £200million redevelopment of the ground but to the MCC's "spirit of cricket" initiative, which promotes the game.

Mr Bradshaw revealed that the club will proceed cautiously so as not to undermine the Lord's name.

He said: "We have to brand the home of cricket carefully. We do not want to cheapen it."