THE Medway Messenger newspaper has signed an exciting sponsorship deal that will give a huge boost to athletics in a large part of North Kent.

Medway's biggest selling newspaper has agreed to become main sponsors of the newly-formed Medway & Maidstone Athletics Club.

The agreement will see the newspaper back the club for the next three years, with the view to a further two-year extension until 2007.

Club chairman Bob Chance said: “The support of such a prestigious local newspaper can only help the new club realise its growing potential.”

The sponsorship money will help the club compete against the best teams in the South-East, with money going towards such things as new equipment, entry fees to competitions and transport expenses.

Mr Chance added: “Athletics for many years has suffered through lack of cash. The new club is growing quickly and is enormously grateful to the Medway Messenger for its sponsorship.

“It will hopefully help in attracting athletes, coaches, managers and other sponsors towards participating in athletics.”

Medway & Maidstone's 400 members will wear the Medway Messenger logo on their vests in all competitions. The newspaper now becomes the official source of club news and results, and will jointly sponsor an athlete of the month award.

A new road race in the Medway Towns, to be run between April and September, is also being launched as part of the deal.

Bob Dimond, editor of the Medway Messenger said: "We are delighted to have joined forces with Medway and Maidstone Atheltics Club at a very exciting time for them. I have been very impressed by the desire of the club to develop the potential of budding athletes and to become ever more successful.

“We at the Medway Messenger are committed to supporting sport within Medway and we look forward to a very long and happy association with the athletics club.”

Medway & Maidstone was formed in the autumn following the merger of Medway Athletics Club and Maidstone & Rochester Athletics Club. The new club runs 15 track and field teams in the summer for men and women of all ages, and enters cross-country and road running competitions in the winter.