Last year's festival helped Scarborough achieve a record surplus

Scarborough officials are hoping the downpours that put paid to York races this week manage to hold off their 122nd annual cricket festival.

The North Marine Road club will stage four of Yorkshire's fixtures over two weeks starting on Monday.

Scarborough's chairman Bill Mustoe told BBC Radio York: "The level of rain has been monsoon-like."

Mustoe said the ground staff have worked hard to make sure the pitch is in good condition despite the weather.

"We've covered the pitch. The groundsman Mick Stewart has done a great job with his team in terms of trying to keep it as dry as possible and virtually the whole square has been covered for the last week.

When we have a couple of games in July and then the festival games in August it's easier to protect fewer wickets so it is more difficult Chairman Bill Mustoe

"So we're hopeful that that's done the trick and hopefully we won't get any more serious rain and we look forward to welcoming a great Yorkshire crowd."

The festival is being held over two weeks for the first time this year and Mustoe said that had presented challenges.

"It is more difficult for the ground staff because clearly they are preparing a number of pitches at the same time.

"Historically when we have a couple of games in July and then the festival games in August it's easier to protect fewer wickets so it is more difficult."

The festival opens with Yorkshire taking on Kent in a Pro 40 match.

Yorkshire then face Kent in the County Championship on 27 August.

Glamorgan are Yorkshire's opponents on Sunday 31 August in the Pro 40 before the festival ends with a County Championship match against Sussex on 3 September.