THE fixtures for the Betfred Championship next season have been released, with a West Cumbrian derby taking place on Easter Sunday.

Whitehaven will open their campaign away to Leigh Centurions on January 29, with Workington Town starting at home to Newcastle Thunder the next day.

Haven's first home match will be a Cumbrian derby against Barrow Raiders on February 6.

On the same day, Town will travel to play Widnes Vikings.

The first West Cumbrian derby of the season takes place on April 17 in Whitehaven.

The game will kick off at 7pm and will be live on Premier Sports.

The return fixture will take place on September 4.

This could be an important one, as it is the second last match of the season.

Whitehaven's other Cumbrian derby will take place in Barrow on July 10.

Workington will face Barrow away on May 15 and at home on June 12.

Haven will finish their season with a home fixture against Newcastle Thunder on September 11.

Town will round the season off with an away trip to York City Knights on the same day.

The Summer Bash, in which a whole round of fixtures are played in the same city, will take place on July 30 or 31.