Crash Training, the information technology (IT) skills specialist, has announced sponsorship deals with two successful Sussex sports teams.

The Brighton-based organisation has signed for a second season with Brighton Bears and landed a two-year deal with Seagirls, the Brighton and Hove Albion women's football team.

Crash co-directors Paul Spinks and Ian Taylor signed the £15,000 one-year deal with the Bears basketball team and a £30,000 exclusive shirt sponsorship with the Seagirls.

Crash, founded five years ago, also has a division in Eastbourne with smaller offices in a number of Sussex towns and a total workforce of 40.

Already a major player in providing training in the public and voluntary sectors, the firm is expanding in the private sector with courses for businesses and individuals.

Mr Spinks said: "The flagship course is for the European Computer Driving Licence, which is recognised by employers as being an ideal standard for people working with IT.

"Our clients include financial services company GMAC, South Central Trains and CSMA and we have developed services and courses to suit the small and medium sized businesses.

"Most of the courses have employers in mind. Giving people the skills they need has been at the heart of our success.

"We deal with everything from basic skills to the more technical training some employers want.

"Sponsoring the Bears and the Seagirls is a real fun experience for us.

"Until we became involved with the teams through sponsorship, our interest was fairly low key although some members of staff occasionally attended games. Now we follow the progress of both teams. We've now become fanatics.

"Sponsoring a sports team is a great way of getting your name known and is a real staff motivator.

"We attend every Bears game and you will always find members of Crash Training in the crowd at Withdean when the Seagirls play."