By Anna Thompson

Twenty20 cricket returns to its county roots on Wednesday after recently taking international cricket by storm.

Leicestershire celebrate after winning the 2004 Twenty20 final

And clubs have been putting their creative thinking caps on to pull in the crowds to make the third year of the competition as successful as ever.

There are some unusual forms of entertainment on offer.

Nottinghamshire Outlaws are searching for a modern day Maid Marian and plan to treat her to an evening she will never forget during the match with cup holders Leicestershire.

Marketing and events co-ordinator Claire Harrison explained: "The competition winner and friend will be situated on a chaise longue, close to the area where the players are based, and will be pampered throughout the match.

"Not only will she receive champagne, truffles, strawberries and flowers, she will even get hand and feet massages."

Worcestershire Royals are in a romantic mood for they have created a Love Island.

Fans Gaye Hodge and Gavin Wood will cement their 10-year relationship when they tie the knot in Malvern before heading to a reception at the County Ground for the match against Gloucestershire Gladiators on 2 July.

They, along with family and friends, plan to start their honeymoon early as they watch the on-field excitement from New Road's very own tropical beach on the boundary.

Essex are also high in the wacky stakes and are inviting spectators to watch cricket from a drive-in.

Essex will stage a Mascots match before their game with Sussex

Two Ford Ka convertibles provided by the club's sponsors will be parked on the boundary edge to give lucky spectators a great vantage point.

Yorkshire will begin their Roses Twenty20 match against Lancashire at Headingley by launching 1,000 balloons.

And with the upcoming Ashes series in mind, they are expecting plenty of Kylies, Dame Ednas and Rolfs for an Aussie-themed fancy dress competition.

Most counties have more traditional Twenty20 fayre on offer - bouncy castles, face painting, barbecues and beer tents.

And it seems they do not have to go to any great lengths to pull in the punters.

Twenty20 is popular in its own right and many counties have reported sell-out games already.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks' captain David Sales said England's Twenty20 win over Australia had helped the cause and tickets for matches had increased as a result.

He added: "I am really pleased tickets are selling well for Twenty20. After the tremendous of England it is great to see that interest has also increased at a local level."

Warwickshire, meanwhile, are in charitable mood.

They are offering special Twenty20 Vision wristbands which will enable fans to attend all four games at Edgbaston at a 50% discount.

The wristbands cost �20 for adults and �10 for children, with �1.20 of the proceeds for each one sold going to the eye department of a local hospital.

This year counties have been split up into three regions and will play four home and away games during the group phase with the top two teams from each region, plus the two-best third placed teams advancing to the quarter finals.

The finals day, on 30 July, is being held in London for the first time at the Brit Oval.

Let the fun begin.