Squash icon Nick Matthew will be the star attraction as Carlisle Squash Club celebrates its official reopening after being destroyed during last year’s floods.

The three-time world champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist will be taking on fellow English professional Declan James in an exhibition match on December 20.

Matthew, 36, is one of the top players of his generation and is currently ranked number four in the world.

He’s also a record-holding eight-time British champion and has won the British Open, considered to be the Wimbledon of squash, on three occasions.

James is ranked number 38 in the world and is the reigning British under-23 champion.

The Warwick Road club’s legion of top junior players will also have the chance to share the court with the professionals as they take part in a series of quickfire matches against Matthew and James.

After the match, the pair will also be holding a question and answer session.

The night will also feature a battle of the coaches with Carlisle’s trainer Liam Gutcher taking on Paul Bell, who earlier this year left the county to take up a role as Scotland’s national coach. Carlisle’s top female player, Victoria Bell, will also be in action.

Last December, the club was deluged with flood water as Storm Desmond struck the county and it was months before the club could fully get back on its feet.

The centre, in the grounds of Carlisle Rugby Club, was also flooded out in 2005.

Club members are, however, firstly concentrating on taking on a huge charity challenge.

On Friday, the club hosted a 24-hour Squashathon to raise money for the #SunshineforSumner appeal, which has gripped the sporting community.

People up and down the country have been raising cash for youngster Sumner Malik, who has a rare form of brain tumour.

His family is trying to raise £80,000 for a different type of treatment in the USA and squashathons are being held around the country.

Club coach Gutcher said: “The aim was to have at least two people at any time, playing squash on at least one court for the whole 24 hours.”