Old Trafford has hosted Test cricket since 1884

The county are investigating proposals to move to a purpose-built site near the City of Manchester Stadium.

Football side Manchester City play at the new stadium, where the Commonwealth Games were held last year.

"No decisions can or will be taken on this issue without the support and approval of the club's members," said a Lancashire statement.

SIX MAGIC MOMENTS Jim Laker's 19 wickets, 1956 Botham's Ashes century, 1981 Trumper's 100 before lunch, 1902 India upset England, 1983 Viv Richards' one-day 189, 1984 Stewart's 100th cap 100, 2000 Read more Your favourite moments Pictures from Old Trafford's past

Plans are believed to include a seating capacity of 30,000 for the new ground - a 30% increase on Old Trafford.

Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes told BBC Radio Five Live: "It's a bit early to say we're on our way but it is a serious proposition and we'd be daft not to look at it seriously."

Test cricket was first held at the venue in 1884 but the club has been threatened with losing Test matches after poor attendances in the last few years.

And plans to increase revenue through hosting music events have been hit by opposition from the local authority, Trafford Borough Council.

We want people to get the best possible enjoyment from a match and surroundings play a part in that ECB spokeswoman

Neighbouring Manchester City Council are eager to attract top-level teams to its Sport City area, which also includes a cycling velodrome and national squash centre.

"We think we do well considering it's an old ground but there is an awful lot of neglect and an awful lot needs doing," Cumbes added.

"You could give us �10m today, we could spend it in a year and you wouldn't know where it had been spent."

"It's still an attractive ground, it's still got a great atmosphere, people still love Old Trafford but we're struggling to do what we need to do to upgrade it."

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Any new ground would not automatically gain Test status, but the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) indicated it would look favourably on a new, high-quality venue.

"Many things go into deciding on a Test venue and clearly facilities play a part in that," an ECB spokeswoman told the BBC Sport website.

"We want people to get the best possible enjoyment from a match and surroundings play a part in that."

Last season, Durham's Riverside ground became England's first new Test venue for 101 years and Hampshire's Rose Bowl is to host a one-day international next year.

"There is more and more international cricket and new international venues are coming on board," the spokeswoman added.

"Lancashire has a good history of Test and one-day international cricket and clearly that would count in their favour."