TWO successful businesses have joined forces for the betterment of the community.

League Two champions Accrington Stanley's Whinney Hill Stand has been sponsored by Studio, based in Clayton-le-Moors, in a three-year-deal for what has been described as a "significant amount of money".

The club is ploughing £1.5million into the ground as it embarks on its first League One campaign with the family stand set to be finished in November.

Studio, also known as Express Gifts ltd are a thriving Accrington based company, striving to support other local businesses and sports clubs.

Established in 1962, Studio are now turning over £400 million, supply to 1.8 million customers and employ 2400 people in peak periods.

Paul Kendrick, Managing Director at Studio, commented: “We are really excited to be sponsoring the family stand at the football club, it’ll be fabulous. The club are doing amazingly well at the moment and to be able to support the club and the community is really important to Studio.

"Our primary aim with regards to this sponsorship is to engage with the local community – to show them that we are supportive of redevelopment within borough. We can’t wait to see the finished family stand.”

Andy Holt, Majority Shareholder of Accrington Stanley, said: “Any support is welcome, of course, but it’s always that little bit more special when it comes from local businesses. We hope that the new stand will encourage more visitors and will, in turn, increase footfall in Accrington. It’s all about supporting one another, businesses coming together, engaging with the community and working together for the good of the town.”

Daniel Bowerbank, Commercial Manager, added: “We are delighted as a club that our new family stand sponsor is yet another local community business who is, once again, proud to be supporting their local club.

"We are looking long-term in working with our new stand sponsors Studio.co.uk and with the new stand giving the club the opportunities to encourage more families to watch Accrington Stanley live in action.”