DERBYSHIRE are to take a first team home fixture beyond the county borders in the 2010 cricket season.

The Falcons' ECB 40 League match against Essex on Bank Holiday Monday, May 3, is to be played at Leek.

It is 18 years since Derbyshire's last List A match at the Highfield ground and that match against Warwickshire was the last time the first team played in Staffordshire, though a game was scheduled for Checkley in 1993 that was abandoned without a ball bowled.

Derbyshire returned to Leek for a second team fixture in June last year and have now cemented the relationship further.

"The increased number of one-day games has given us more opportunity to go out into the community, which is great for the club as we aim to reach the widest audience," said chief executive Keith Loring.

"Staffordshire has a rich cricketing tradition in terms of the players it has produced and the popularity of the sport in the county, so we are delighted to offer their community this opportunity to watch the Falcons in action."

Staffordshire has been a regular venue for Derbyshire in the past.

Burton has staged 53 first-class matches at three grounds, principally the Ind Coope Ground, between 1914-80.

One-day matches have since been played at Cheadle, Knypersley, Leek and Checkley.