Bolton defender Mark Ellis has had his loan spell at Torquay United extended until Christmas Day.

The former Kingsbridge Community College student initially joined the Gulls on September 21 and the 19-year-old has since made five appearances for the Blue Square Premier leaders.

A delighted Gulls boss Paul Buckle, who coached Ellis as a 16-year-old at Exeter, told the Herald express: "You need four quality centre-halves if you are going to have any chance of doing anything.

Torquay manager Paul Buckle: "I am delighted to have Mark on board. It is a massive signing for us."

"I am delighted to have Mark on board. It is a massive signing for us.

"He could easily have gone back to Bolton.

"I told Colin (chief executive Colin Lee) that I really wanted the boy, and he's negotiated the deal with Bolton.

"I said from Day One that Mark can go on to play higher. He's got a bright future ahead of him.

"He's shown what he can do already, and now he's in competition with the other three centre-halves here.

"We are going to need them all, with the demands that the winter months bring."

Ellis, who was born in Plymouth, will now go into the squad to face York City on Sunday.