Justin Brooker, one of the brightest stars in the Bradford Bulls line-up, has turned to an Ilkley company to plan his life after rugby league.

Although only 23, and with an exciting rugby career ahead, Justin has already decided to plan for his long-term future when his playing days are over.

In a sport where the potential for a player to make high earnings lasts for a relatively short period, Justin also recognises the need to invest wisely for the future.

"With luck I've got another seven or eight years yet before I have to start something different," he said.

"I also want to understand how best to organise my finances now so that I make the most of my rugby career. I have decided to learn about the financial services industry - to help me appreciate better my financial planning needs and also evaluate a potential future career."

Justin has begun a series of courses at RBR Insurance Group of Ilkley, associate sponsor of the Bradford Bulls, to familiarise himself with many of the financial services issues that he will need to understand.

Justin will also be learning at first hand about the life of an independent financial adviser when he helps RBR run a series of consultations for Bradford Bulls fans who want to find out about mortgages available through RBR.

The managing director of the Riverside Business Park, Leeds Road-based company, Mark Minton, said: "We are sure that the meetings will be very successful.

"Justin wants to learn about the mortgage sector of the financial services industry so sitting in on these meetings will help him appreciate what people's needs are."