Keighley Cougars have come to the aid of waterlogged rugby union club Bees by offering them the use of their pitch after flood damage left Wagon Lane unplayable.

The Bees will play Saturday's North Division One match against Middlesbrough at Cougar Park (2.15) and admission will be free.

They have also provisionally arranged for their NPI Cup fourth round tie against the Wirrall team Caldy on Saturday, December 2 to be played at Keighley as well as the home league match against Stockton the following Saturday.

Bees board member Peter Harrison said: "We approached the Cougars to see if they could help us and they were most amenable.

"We are able to use the club from 1pm until 7pm and as well as the bars being open we are able to use their facilities including a sit down meal for the players after the match.

"We just want to get people in the habit of watching us again. It is only four miles down the road from our base at Wagon Lane and we hope to attract support not only from our own members but from anyone else would like to watch us.

"This is a true coming together between Rugby League and Rugby Union. We are all at one now."

Coach Matt Greenwood said: "I have passed the ground, but I have not been on the pitch. I am sure it will be in good condition, though, because there have been no matches on it since July.

"There is an Emerging Nations Rugby League match there tomorrow and I am trying to organise a training session there on Thursday.

"Playing at Keighley doesn't give us any advantage, but there is nothing to be gained by postponing fixtures because all you do is to build up a backlog of matches later in the season."

Training is a problem for Greenwood and the players. They have been doing their preparation indoors and they hope to take up neighbours Bradford Salem's offer to train on their pitch tomorrow.

Greenwood said: "Although we have had the offer from Salem and we will be using their facilities we don't want to take advantage of their kindness by training on their ground when it is wet."

Meanwhile, the Bees continue the enormous task of clearing the mess caused by the floods at Wagon Lane.

As well as the rugby pitch being unplayable, the clubhouse is closed because of flood damage and the dressing are not fit to use.

Harrison said: "We are fully covered by insurance, but it is a sorry state of affairs and the income we are losing is unbelievable. I think we are aiming for New year."