A SKIPTON firm will have a hand in helping Yorkshire County Cricket players dress to impress.

Off the field the players and fans will boast ties produced by Masons Textiles, coincidentally located on Cricketers Close, Carleton New Road.

The company is among the largest manufacturers of tie fabrics and accessories in Europe producing over 6.5 million ties per year.

It will hold an official licence for three years to produce ties, scarves, waistcoats and handkerchiefs with the Yorkshire CC logo on.

And, for the first time, it has been given the rights to supply the products to various stores throughout Yorkshire and sell them directly from its premises. Previously the merchandise was just sold from the ground at Headingley.

Andrew Peden, managing director of Masons Textiles, said: "Yorkshire County Cricket Club's new policy of supporting Yorkshire companies is a great one and we at Masons are pleased to be handling such a prestigious contract."

He added that this contract was a major coup for Masons Textiles which has also produced merchandise for the Rugby World Cup, the English RFU and even the Australian Rugby Board.

Yorkshire's Commercial Director Tony Panara said: "Once again Yorkshire CC have managed to achieve association with a Yorkshire based company and we look forward to a long and successful partnership.