Keighley Cougars have opened a store in the Airedale Shop-ping Centre.

And replica kits flew off the shelves with only a couple of shirts left by the end of the first day’s trading.

The unit – which began trading on Saturday – stocks the latest kit and a range of merchandise, including balls, keyrings and pens.

Cougars chairman, Gary Fawcett, said: “The shop gives us a valuable sales venue.

“Our stadium is outside the centre of the town, and this provides a presence in the centre, where we can promote our brand. We had a shop open briefly for four weeks last year and we know how it can bump up sales.”

Club prop forward, Andy Shickell, who is sponsored by the shopping centre, said: “It’s important to the future of the club that we have a focal point like this in the town centre.

“A shop is where revenue comes from and helps get people into the club.”

Airedale Shopping Centre manager, Steve Seymour, welcomed the opening.

“We know what the Cougars mean to the town,” he said.

“They have a very loyal fanbase who, up to now, have only been able to try on kit on match days.

“The shop will also be useful to the many visitors we get to the town, from all over the world, who will be able to pick up something a bit more personal to Keighley.”

The shop is open Mondays to Saturdays.