A new Esports team is joining forces with a successful squad in a bid to dominate the world gaming stage.

Burnley College Sixth Form Centre has launched their new team as they begin teaching their new Esports course, with learners working towards an Advanced Level Diploma in Esports.

The competitors from the college have joined up with the Burnley FC Esport squad to compete in the fastest growing entertainment industry in the world.

Combining dexterity, focus, analytical skills and problem solving, Esports experts are actively recruited by some of the world’s leading technology-driven organisations such as the Royal Airforce, BAE and Emirates.

The College has also formed its own competitive Esports team – BEES (Burnley Elite Esports).

Now the Bees have officially become a feeder team for Burnley FC’s already well-established group of players – and together have formed the Elite Esports Athlete Programme.

The partnership sees the College’s logo on the Burnley Pro Esports shirts and vice-versa and gives the most talented players the chance to play for the Burnley Esports team.

Curriculum leader, Ed Foulds said: “We are proud to announce this exciting and innovative relationship with Burnley FC and become the first College in the country to form a link with a professional football club.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for our students to be playing for the Burnley Esports Academy teams.

“We now have the opportunity to share our expertise, our cutting-edge equipment and technology with the elite of the industry.”

Burnley FC’s head of Esports, Steve Hawthorn added: “It’s great to have a Premier League football club partner with their local college.

“Burnley College demonstrates that thirst to innovate and put technology at the forefront of everything they do.”

The Esports industry has grown massively over the last decade and is expected to return £1.5 billion plus turnover in the coming years.