A NEW flag American Football league is about to start in Devon and Cornwall.

The South West Series will involve five teams and will run over the traditional off-season.

The league, which will start in October and continue through to February, will include 2016 BAFA play-off side Plymouth Buccaneers.

The other teams involved are Marjon Lions, Plymouth University Bolts, Cornish Hammerheads and Exeter Falcons.

The series will give new sides an opportunity to get some much-needed game-time, while allowing other players to keep fit for the 2017 BAFA campaign.

Marjon Lions are headed up by chairman Ieuan Tucker, who has worked tirelessly to get the South West Series off the ground.

The Cornish Hammerheads are an off-shoot of full contact side Cornish Sharks, while Exeter are led by quarter-back Lewis Phillips and will feature a number of students.

The first games will be held at the University of St Mark and St John on Saturday, October 15 (11am). The opening week’s fixtures are: Lions v Buccaneers, Bolts v Hammerheads, Falcons v Buccaneers, Hammersheads v Falcons and Lions v Bolts.