RUGBY League is up and running again in Swindon following the official launch of Swindon St George club on Saturday.

Mayor of Swindon, Coun Michael Barnes, did the honours as the club was formally declared open - coinciding with the launch of the town'ss new community radio station, Swindon 105.5.

The mayor pledged his support to the Saints - and will be in attendance at the club's opening home game versus Telford on May 17. He also invited the Saints to take part in a special St George's Day celebration event in the town next month.

The club have also received the backing of the Rugby Football League, whose Regional Development Manager Caro Wild welcomed Saints into the sport's fraternity before handing over some Super League memorabilia to the club.

The Saints start their West Midlands Conference league season in Coventry on Saturday, May 10.

The three-month campaign will see Swindon play 14 matches home and away with that Telford clash on May 17 launching the home campaign.

Should they be successful, they will progress to the national play-off quarter-finals on August 16, the semi-finals the following weekend and the Conference Grand Final on Sunday, September 7.

Attention now turns to the new outfit's first training session, with an already busy recruitment campaign boosted by the publicity of Saturday's events.

A big turnout is expected for that first session at Supermarine Rugby Club tomorrow (7pm). .

For further details, potential players, helpers or supporters can contact Neil Ferguson on 07989 380395 (e-mail neil@chrome.fsnet.co.uk) or Tony Ellis on 07887-561520 (tony.ellis60@virgin.net).

The club's new website is also now up and running at www.swindonrfl.co.uk.