A GOLF club has agreed a deal to ensure their course remains in top condition throughout the season.

Crook Golf Club, in the Weardale hills, has teamed up with local firm SGM Hire to secure a range of groundcare machinery in an agreement lasting five years.

The club has invested in two John Deere 2500D greens triple mowers, a Toro 2000D tees triple, a Kubota D2400 compact tractor and a fairway mower, while SGM will also provide maintenance cover under the deal.

Treasurer John Cliff said: "The fact that we are given brand new machinery with all servicing and maintenance across five years saves on downtime, insurance and repairs, all of which can be very expensive.

"It's a greenkeeper's dream to start the season with brand new machinery."