STONYHURST College welcomed cricket legend Brian Lara during a fact-finding visit.

The former West Indian test batsman visited the college as he looks to increase tourism links in the Trinidad and Tobago off-season.

The college is now looking to set up a link with the West Indies, which will see it send a cricket team to tour the area.

Director of sport Simon Charles said the visit had come about because one of the college’s board members was from Trinidad and had contact with Mr Lara’s family.

He said: “Brian Lara was looking to promote tourism outside their main tourism season.

“We are now hoping to take a team out to the Caribbean, hopefully starting in 2015.”

Mr Lara, who holds records for scoring 400 not out in a test match against England and also 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham, was given a tour of the school and its facilities by Mr Charles and headteacher Andrew Johnson. Mr Charles said: “We had a short meeting to discuss the logistics of getting the partnership off the ground.

“Then he had a chat with some of our cricketers and a look at the pavilion.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for us.”

Mr Charles said the visit on Tuesday was great for the students and staff.

He said: “On a personal level it was very exciting to meet him.

“Everyone has heard of Brian Lara in cricket and a lot of the youngsters will have taken their inspiration from him.

“We even stopped pre-season rugby training for the players to get a chance to meet him.”