YORK Vale Cricket League have secured a three-year sponsorship extension with York-based chartered accountants and business advisers Horwath Pulleyn Heselton.

The sponsorship deal worth an undisclosed four-figure sum continues an association, first forged in 1993, between the firm and the York-area cricket league.

Robert Woolley, a partner with Horwath Pulleyn Heselton said: "We are delighted to renew our support for amateur cricket in the area.

"The York Vale League upholds the traditions of village cricket, which is untarnished by some of the issues surrounding the professional game." He added: "Sponsorship of the league has been an important element in our marketing and the development of our brand."

York Vale League secretary Shane Hargrave said: "Financial support in the form of sponsorship enables us to continue developing the league for the benefit of our clubs.

"Sponsorship is often transient in nature, but in Horwath Pulleyn Heselton we are fortunate to have a backer who is committed to a long term investment in the league."

York Vale League currently boasts a membership of 49 teams playing in five divisions.

Updated: 12:20 Thursday, May 02, 2002