A ROUNDERS team advertising a prison on their shirts might seem like a bit of a batty scheme.

But that is what Rose Lea ladies rounders team will be doing this season after persuading Forest Bank Prison at Agecroft to be its sponsor.

The team, which trains at Astley Bridge Cricket Club, will also go on a tour of the prison and play a rounders match against a team of inmates.

The unusual deal came about through Alison Saunders, a rounders player and referee who takes over as manager at Rose Lea this season.

Her full-time job is giving newly-qualified teachers work experience at firms including the prison.

"It is a bit unusual for a prison to sponsor a sports team but why not?" she said.

"These prisoners are going to be released some time and it's nice to help get them back on their feet by being involved with the community.

"We are hoping the team will do well this season and get promoted so the sponsorship is part of the jigsaw."

Rose Lea is in the B Division of the Bolton Sports Federation Ladies Rounders League.

Team member Jo Denner said "All the teams wear matching kits and it can be quite expensive if you've got to buy tops and sweatshirts.

"I'm up for playing a rounders match at the prison. It will certainly be different!"

The cash came from a fund that UK Detention Services, which runs the prison, gives out to improve links with community groups.

Debbie Nash, head of prisoner training at Forest Bank, said: "We want people to see that prisoners don't have green horns. They are people who have made mistakes.

"We also promote things inmates can do with their spare time other than crime, like sport."

The kits will be ready later this month, in time for the the new season in April.