A HAMPSHIRE firm is bowled over after winning the contract to supply the official England cricket tie for this summer's Test series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

West Meon-based sportswear maker Allez landed the deal to supply 5,000 International Series 2006 ties bearing the crests of each nation for the England and Wales Cricket Board.

It's a boost for Charlie Tuck, pictured left with his son Richard, who has been trying to land the prestige deal for years after quitting teaching PE to start the family firm in 1982.

He said: "I have been knocking on the door for some years now and, although we've come pretty close before, this time our design caught the imagination and we won it. The profile will be very good for us."

It is not the first big-name client the five-strong firm has landed, with contracts for off-field wear for rugby union giants Wasps and Harlequins already under their belt, as well as deals to supply six cricket counties.