British television's first channel dedicated to golf is to be launched by a booming Bradford firm.

Golf TV is the latest venture from Trustar Global Media, the Canal Road-based business which already runs two successful television channels.

And chief executive Andrew Malcher is confident the new digital TV station, which has already attracted backing from professionals including Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood, will prove another hit.

His existing stations, Shop America and You TV, have helped the company turn over more than $250 million since it was set-up just four years ago.

The idea of the station dedicated to golf was dreamed up by Mr Malcher while he was a 16-year-old YTS trainee at Pickford's Travel in Bradford.

Mr Malcher, who lives in Wilsden and is a member of the Bingley St Ives course, said he was convinced it would take off.

The 24-hour channel will feature a host of programmes relating to the sport including coaching from professionals, features on golfing holidays, lifestyle programmes, a shopping programme and reruns of previous events.

If all goes to plan, the station hopes to be in a position to bid against major existing stations for the rights to cover major golf events. The station is already on air running promotional material and will launch in November.

"The response so far has been absolutely great and people are only just discovering us," said Mr Malcher. "It is the first time that people in this sport have ever had a channel dedicated to them.

"Since 1990, golf course supply has grown by 35 per cent, with more than 500 new courses in England alone and annual turnover for the golf retail market is estimated to be between £250 million and £350 million. This is clearly a sport with massive potential that is crying out for its own dedicated TV channel."

Lee Westwood said: "Golf TV will inject new life and a fresh enthusiasm into the game for professionals like myself and club golfers the length of Britain."

The programmes for the station will be made by other firms but Mr Malcher, 33, is keen to shoot some material at his home course in Bingley.

And the launch could lead to an expansion in staff numbers at Trustar's Bradford headquarters which is home to a 13-strong team. The company is already looking at larger premises in the city and predicts turnover could grow to $500 million in the next two years.

The group, which has offices around the world, has built its success on the huge popularity of the Shop America channel, which sold exclusive products for the Atkins diet.

The new free-to-air station is available on Sky digital channel 429. The channel is offering free membership to its 'Founders' Club' by calling 0870 005 3230.