Purchase goes for indoor gold

Purchase will team up with Mark Hunter and the pair are aiming to repeat their success at the World Championships in the summer.

In 2005 Hunter won the open lightweight category while Purchase took the bronze medal but in their absence Scarborough youngster Bob Hewitt became champion last time around.

Andy Hodge and Peter Reed, world champions in the GB men's four in 2005 and 2006, are amongst the 136 entrants into the blue ribbon event - the men's open heavyweight category -  in which Graham Benton holds the title.