THE National Premier League, a very much extended version of the original North-East Premier League, has received a huge boost from a wide variety of public bodies and businesses in the region as it enters its third season.

Backing from 15 organisations has enabled the national finals to be staged on Teesside next spring, with councils and companies pledging their support for a competition which is now attracting more and more leading British players to the 64 teams around the country.

Their sponsorship, either financially or in kind, has allowed league founder and administrator Mike Dixon to increase the total prize fund by 200pc to a minimum of £14,000 for this season.

He is particularly thankful as the support will raise the profile of an event which started off humbly five years ago with 16 regional teams, as well as creating extra interest in tennis in the region.

Four of Britain's top six doubles players - Durham and Cleveland's Daniel Kiernan, Yorkshire's Jonathan Marray and David Sherwood, and Mark Hilton of Cheshire - will again compete in the league.

Mr Dixon said: "I am highly delighted at the response from the region. The event can compete with any other similar nationwide league and in fact can now surpass the LTA-supported National Club League, with twice as much prize money for the finals.

"Five years hard work are bearing fruit. It is also rewarding that so many leading national players will be taking part."

Four public bodies - Middlesbrough Council, Stockton Council, the Tees Valley Partnership and the Learning Skills Council - are all well to the fore with their sponsorship, as is Tees Active.

Support has also been pledged by Jason Hadlow's Simply Dutch, a furniture business based at Leeming Bar, Tim Sharma's APL Technologies of Middlesbrough, Jackson Solicitors of Stockton, Sporting Lodge Inns at Stainton, RST Accountancy Group of Gilling West and Northumbrian Water.

The national finals will be held at the David Lloyd Centre in Thornaby and head coach Matt Whittaker said: "It is great for the region to have the finals of such a prestigious competition.

"We are heavily behind it and will also be providing coaching clinics and tournaments for local colleges and schools. The local councils are to be applauded for their support."

Casper Shipping of Middlesbrough, Wise Speke Stockbrokers of Stockton, Frutarom, a fruit business in Billingham, and Cordell Engineering in Stockton have also provided financial support.

There will be eight regional groups of eight teams each - North-East, Yorkshire, North-West, East Midlands, South-West, West Midlands, South-East and Scotland.