BURNLEY Tornados American Football Club tackled the best of the rest last season thanks to support they received from a local business initiative which funded new training equipment and moved them a step closer to creating a new junior team.

The club received £1,400 from Burnley’s Vantage Toyota Community Drive which was used to buy training equipment – including tackle bags and protective gear.

Club chairman, Ivan Jackson, said: “American Football is the fastest growing team sport in the UK and we bring this sport to youngsters.

“We’ve had a fantastic year, winning the Northern Conference and coming third nationwide in the Britbowl finals but the real value of the club is the opportunities it provides to the community.

“The Community Drive funding paid for essential, and often expensive, equipment that helps us promote the sport in a safe and disciplined way and means we can focus on starting a new junior team.”