DEDICATED club athlete Tony Wallett, who runs a string of sports shops in the region, has come to the rescue of the North-East Harrier League, which lost the financial support of long-standing sponsors DP Furniture Express, now in administration.

As soon as Wallett, who competes regularly for North Shields Polytechnic, heard of the problem he promptly declared that his company, Start Fitness, would step into the breach.

The League starts its six-meeting winter programme at Chester-le-Street tomorrow, and secretary Audrey Ogle said: "We are delighted Tony has come to the rescue.

"We were very sad to hear about the problems being experienced by DP Furniture Express, which has given us wonderful support over the past 17 years.

"But within 24 hours of losing the sponsorship Tony stepped in with his offer and we were delighted to accept."

Wallett will be wearing the Polytechnic colours at the Riverside tomorrow as the new cross country season gets underway, with senior men's champions Sunderland seeking to win the title for an unprecedented 20th time since 1980.

The Wearsiders were made to fight all the way last winter by Morpeth Harriers after a shock set back on the same Chester-le-Street course, finishing fourth after a Sunderland AFC home fixture proved to be too much of a counter-attraction for many of their regular team members.