Darlington student Andrew Oliver has struck a sponsorship deal just in time for a major cycle-cross event in Bristol on Sunday.

The 20-year-old Oliver, in his second year studying leisure management at Teesside University, is now backed by Action Bikes of Bondgate, Darlington.

He said: "This is going to be a great help to me for the next year."

And Gary Evans, manager of Action Bikes, said: "He has been doing so well that he has been selected to represent the North-East at this event - and we all like to back a winner."

Apart from Action Bikes, Oliver also receives backing from Specialized Bikes, VC 167 - a local cycling club - and physiotherapist Ken Reid.

Action Bikes will take care of all his needs including riding equipment and running repairs which gives Oliver a big lift for the national Inter-Area championship event on Sunday.

Apart from cyclo-cross, Oliver is a cycling all-rounder, also competing in mountain bike events as well as road time trials and road racing.

Last year he took first place at the Hamsterley Forest Bikefest Mountain Bike race and was overall first in the VC 167 road time trial series. He was third overall in the Northern area mountain bike series and currently lies sixth overall in the North-East Cyclo Cross Premier League.