A BURNLEY-based internet company has bought out key components of a collapsed sports.com empire.

MAD Group paid an undisclosed six-figure sum for part of the European Sports Agency which supplies major organisations with results statistics, reports and news for major European sports, including UK football and rugby matches.

The move is expected to mean more jobs at its Network 65 Business Park headquarters.

MAD Group founder, David Price, described the deal as ideal for his group.

He said: "Our proven success in running our existing operation on a significantly lower cost base than others in the sector means we are confident the expanded group will be profitable."

The company will use its new venture to supply newspapers, bookmakers, mobile telephone companies and other websites with information.