THE top ice hockey team in the region has signed a sponsorship deal with The Gate, in Newcastle.

For the second successive season, the leisure and entertainment venue will sponsor the Newcastle Vipers, who will wear The Gate's logo on their helmets.

The deal with the Vipers began with last season's Findus Cup Final, which saw the team win the major trophy, for the second year in succession.

Adam Johnson, centre manager at The Gate, said: "Sport is an area where Newcastle is experiencing fabulous growth, with the Vipers leading this renaissance."

The Gate, part of the regenerated Grainger Town area of Newcastle, was developed at a cost of £75m and has a 12-screen multiplex cinema, a range of national-brand restaurants and Newcastle's biggest nightclub, Tiger, Tiger.

Asper's Casino is also being developed at the site.