BLACKBURN Northern have moved swiftly to sign up South African all rounder Gareth Flusk as their professional for 2003.

The 28-year-old, a friend of Accrington pro Andre Seymour, replaces West Indian Wilden Cornwall, who hasn't played enough first class games for the Leeward Islands in the past 18 months to qualify for a work permit.

Flusk, who scored 850 runs and took 45 wickets playing for Vickerstown in the North Lancs Premier League, is a Level Three coach and will help develop the club's younger players.

Blackburn Northern captain Mel Gillibrand said: "These things sometimes work out for the better because Gareth can be as much of a help off the field as he can with his performances on it."