A Darlington franchise consultancy has teamed up with Scottish football team Rangers to help with retail ventures.

The Glasgow club sought help from The Franchise Company to help grow its retail division, Rangers Retail, through franchising.

There are 18 Rangers shops selling team merchandise in Scotland and Northern Ireland and the club hopes to find experienced retail executives to invest in and run the outlets.

Nick Peel, Rangers' retail and brand director, said: "This is an extremely important development for the club."

The Franchise Company, formed in 1991, has been a full member of the British Franchise Association since 1993 and was introduced to Rangers' representatives last autumn.

It works with more than 40 companies across the UK, advising on all aspects of franchise development.

Julie Waites, partner at The Franchise Company, in Grange Road, Darlington, said: "It is a very exciting time for us, as well as Rangers.

"This project demonstrates the wide variety of businesses which are now franchising as a way of developing their potential.

"Franchising is not just about hamburgers and carpet cleaning - it is a proven method of expansion, within the UK and internationally, for businesses large and small."