LANCASTER City have signed on some of the brightest young prospects in schools and college football - and that's official.

The Giant Axe club has forged a partnership with Cardinal Newman College in Preston with a view to forming a new official youth academy.

And the link has got off to a flying start - with the college team that already includes half a dozen City youngsters winning through to the GB Colleges Cup Final.

The team will play the final at The Hawthorns, the home of West Bromwich Albion, on Tuesday evening next week, May 11.

City's youth team will play all its home games next season at Cardinal Newman College in the same way that Morecambe FC's youth 'academy' team plays at Lancaster and Morecambe College.