HALTWHISTLE Jubilee have again strengthened as they go after a fifth successive Hexham and District Sunday League title.

They have acquired the services of Ryton Country Hotel's David Tremble, Haydon Bridge Anchor's Mark Elliott, Barrasford midfielder David Hall and teenager Ciaran Fleming, from Bardon Mill Bowes Lyons, who was awarded most man of the matches in the division last year.

The champions have lost Jack Barker and Michael Eals to town rivals Haltwhistle Railway, but they are again being hotly tipped for another silverware laden season.

Hexham Phoenix pushed them right to the wire last term as the title decider went down to the final game, the Hexham side denying Haltwhistle a third successive quadruple by lifting the Division One KO Cup.

They are again expected to mount a serious challenge when the season gets under way this weekend, the squad more or less remaining the same.

It is a similar story for Prudhoe Social Club , managed by Shaun Sagar, as they put together a serious challenge last term before dying off in the dying stages.

In Stefan Rainbow, Shaun Stewart and James Curry they had three of the top 10 goalscorers in the division, so finding the back of the net isn't one of their worries.

Having walked away with the Division Two title in their debut year in the Hexham league, Heddon St Andrew's will be hopeful of being competitive in the higher division.

While a poor pre-season saw them without victory, they showed last season they can pose problems to Division One teams and they made the final of the league cup after disposing of Phoenix in the semi-finals.

Fellow promoted side Hexham Hearts make the step-up after edging to second spot in a close run-in to Division Two last season.

Manager Tom North has drafted in the services of a number of local youngsters to bolster the squad, the aim to mix them with the experienced lads who helped gain the promotion.

Prudhoe Town's wheeler dealers Chris Reynolds and Gary Tranter have again been busy in the transfer market and have brought in many new faces as they look to push on this year.

In has come teenagers Luke Banks and Taylor Lowes, with Dean Brown, Aaron Ridley, Colin Hardwick, Tom Robinson, Stu Rawlinson, Stuart Paterson, Scott Johnson, Christian Rodda, Luke Robson and Dean Barnard all signing on the dotted line too.

Bardon Mill Bowes Lyons have lost talented teenager Billy Rogan to Haltwhistle Railway, but are in a strong position as they head into the new campaign.

Sam Austin returns to the squad after his travels, and they are expected to be a difficult team to beat as they possess some good defenders at this level.

The loss of David Hall, who earned most league man of the matches for the team last year, is a big blow to Barrasford , but they are back and will be a match for any team on their day.

The Nixon brothers will again be key to their progress, Marc finishing as leading scorer in the league with 16 last season and Gary in the top five of most man of the matches with three.

While Phoenix Chopwell resigned from the league after finishing bottom, Halfway House Prudhoe , who were second bottom, are preparing for another season in the top flight.

They were saved from the drop by a restructuring of the divisions, but are in good shape to move away from the foot of the table with their young squad.