A LOCAL television company is helping to keep Saints fans bang up to date with the latest news from St Mary's in the run-up to Saturday's FA Cup final against Arsenal.

Curtiss Communications, based in West Wellow, produces Southampton Football Club's popular weekly soccer magazine show - Saints Today - on Sky Sports.

The half-hour show, now in its seventh week, features manager and player interviews, match action, behind the scenes reports, competitions, and club offers. It also gives fans a chance to fire questions at club chairman Rupert Lowe. The show is produced and directed by Trevor Curtiss, a former network TV executive, who lives in Canada Road. He set up his own production company eight years ago.

He said: "We developed the project over 12 months and it's terrific fun working with Southampton Football Club at such an exciting time in the club's history. Apart from Manchester United and Chelsea, who have their own satellite channels, the Saints are the only Premiership club with their own show on Sky.

"The show's proved hugely popular with fans, especially in the run-up to the Cup final. We filmed them on their amazing day out for the semi-final at Villa Park, and will be with them in Cardiff for the final."

The show is presented by Emma Davies, the Commonwealth Games 800 metres semi-finalist, whose parents live in Andover, and Iain Brunnchweiler, the Hampshire reserve wicketkeeper, from Southampton.

This week's show goes out on Sky Sports Extra at 11.30am on Friday and is repeated at 8am on Cup final morning.

Curtiss Communications' sister company, The Local Television Company, is currently developing local commercial television services for Romsey and the New Forest.