PLYMOUTH Argyle has become a patron of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce.

The football club joins a select group of six other city organisations as patrons: Bluefin, City College Plymouth, Heart, Midas, Numo Group and the Tamar Science Park.

Patrons receive extra benefits of membership and a high profile within the city's business community along with providing additional financial support, encouragement and authority for the chamber's work in Plymouth.

The patronage agreement runs from this month for three years and will further enhance the links between the chamber and the football club now that Plymouth has been confirmed as a 2018 World Cup host city should Britain's bid succeed.

Fifa will decide in December which country will be the host for the 2018 World Cup.

Chamber chief executive David Parlby said: "I'm delighted Plymouth Argyle has decided to become a patron of the chamber.

"We worked closely with the club and other partners in preparing Plymouth's bid to become a host city for the 2018 World Cup.

"This is a natural step in the development of our relationship and we look forward to helping Argyle make sure that England is successful in its bid to Fifa."

Keith Todd, executive director of Plymouth Argyle, said: "The club wants to play its full part in working with other businesses in Plymouth.

"We see patronage of the chamber as instrumental in making that connection and I look forward to helping the chamber continue to improve the business environment for Plymouth," he added.