A ROSSENDALE company is sponsoring a sports team with a difference.

McNulty Antiques, which is based at Holden Wood Antique Centre, Haslingden, has funded a new team strip for Bury Schools' Goalball Team.

Goalball is an indoor game which enables people with visual impairments to play on an equal footing with fully-sighted players.

It was originally started after the Second World War to help rehabilitate blinded war veterans and is now played at national and international level.

The game was first introduced to the borough's schools on a regular basis five years ago by Paul Miller, advisory teacher for the visually impaired with Bury Council's Access and Inclusion Service.

The game involves two teams of three players who all wear blacked out goggles.

The aim is to roll a ball - which has a bell inside - towards the opposing team's goal. Players orientate themselves using tactile markers stuck on the floor.

Mr Miller said: "As none of the players can use their vision, it means that fully-sighted, partially-sighted and non-sighted can join in together, making it a truly inclusive activity."