A football club is catering for its expanding support base with the launch of a new home strip.

Middlesbrough FC has created a XXXXL kit for its more well proportioned fans.

The move to supply tops and shorts with a couple of extra inches of material has gone down well with Boro supporters in the town centre.

Season ticket holder Julie Anderson, 20, said: "It will make a change from seeing big blokes squeezing into tops that are too small for them.

"Hopefully, there will be no more fans bearing their big bellies at games."

Tommy Davies, who weighs 20-stone, said: "I think it's a great idea - it's about time clubs catered for us big blokes.

"But I'll have to wait and see whether they will fit my more than ample proportions."

Fellow fan Steve Jones said: "I can't imagine how big these shirts will be, but at least they should fit everyone."

The new shirt retains the popular white chest band, but now incorporates an extension to the band down its right side.

The shorts also include a white band down the right side only.

Graham Fordy, Boro's head of commercial, said: "Clearly, the chest band is popular with our supporters, so we have incorporated it in this year's design, but given it a bit of a twist."

The kit is on sale to season ticket holders today and tomorrow, at the club's retail stores at the stadium and in Middlesbrough town centre.

Fans must produce voucher X out of their 2004-2005 booklet to get hold of a top.

They will go on general sale from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

Adult shirts are priced £40 from medium to XXXXL, £35 for 36in to 40in chest and £26 for 30in chest.

The club plans to launch its royal blue away shirt later this month.