BLACKBURN brewery Daniel Thwaites have helped police raise enough money for a prospective rugby league tour of New Zealand.

The force's national rugby league side secured a lucrative shirt sponsorship deal with the brewers, with the contract being finalised prior to a recent match in Manchester.

Superintendent Clive Tattum, vice-chairman of the British Police Rugby League Association, said: "We are extremely grateful for Thwaites' sponsorship. Without such funding we simply wouldn't be able to play the world's best in their own back yard."