For the first time in years, schoolchildren will be able to go along to the C&G Cheltenham Cricket Festival - without playing truant.

The festival has been moved to a later date to coincide with the school summer holidays. Sussex will be the visitors for a County Championship game on 27-30 July; on 31 July Nottinghamshire Outlaws will play in a one-day game; Hampshire visit for another County Championship game on 1-4 August; and the festival closes with a one-day game against Northamptonshire Steelbacks on 5 August.

Gloucestershire's chief executive Colin Sexstone said: "We are delighted that the festival has been moved to coincide with the school holidays.

"Traditionally it was many children's first experience of cricket and hopefully this will be the case again in the future.

"Together with the C&G we are determined to maintain and develop the Cheltenham Festival as the premier domestic cricket event in the country."

Roger Burden, managing director of Cheltenham & Gloucester, said: "A partnership between the Cheltenham Cricket Festival and C&G is a perfect match -which is why we are delighted to continue our sponsorship for the 2001 festival."