91Èȱ¬

The decision to hold two Ashes Tests at Trent Bridge will leave a lasting legacy in the city, Nottinghamshire Cricket Club has said.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has announced Trent Bridge will host Tests against Australia in 2013 and 2015.

Nottinghamshire chief executive Derek Brewer said: "It's a great programme and we are really delighted."

The Nottinghamshire club spent £8.2m in 2008 on upgrading facilities at the ground.

Trent Bridge was one of three grounds chosen to host matches during both upcoming series against Australia, along with the London grounds Lord's and The Oval.

"A huge amount of hard work has gone into it - and we have got our reward in what is a very competitive environment," Mr Brewer said.

"It's been a massive team effort, a very long and exacting process."

It is estimated matches from the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup being hosted at Trent Bridge boosted the local economy by up to £12m over the three-week series.

The Ashes matches and several other cricket internationals scheduled for Trent Bridge between 2013 and 2016 could generate as much as £30m to the wider East Midlands' economy, the club's bid document said.

South Bank bar manager Tom Holodynsky, who runs a business near the ground, said: "You really can't put into words what it means to the local economy - five days of solid trade from start to finish from eight in the morning until you close late at night. You can double your takings in that period of time."

Mr Brewer said: "We have some really exciting plans to leave a lasting legacy from not just one Test Match but two.

"This has given us the certainty of having (Test) matches right through to 2016 - and if you think about it - in 2019 the World Cup comes to England. We are constantly looking ahead and we will never rest on our laurels."

He said the club hoped to sell out the ground for all the Ashes matches.