A KARTING centre being forced out of its home to make way for a leisure complex is calling on sponsors to come forward before it has to close.

Planning permission was granted in March to build a cinema, bowling alley and health club on land near Bridge Street, Blackburn.

But one of the businesses that will have to leave the site to make room for the complex is the indoor karting centre, which caters for motorsports enthusiasts.

Blackburn Indoor Karting is now pleading for help to let it stay in business, which bosses say helps to keep down the rising tide of illegal motorsports in Blackburn's streets and parks.

They were told at the end of October last year that they would have to be out by March 2004, so are now desperately seeking a new home.

Nicky Ward, a partner at the centre, said: "This is the opportunity to test if Blackburn can support the centre, and we think it can. But finding a venue is virtually impossible because of the scale of the buildings and the cost.

"At the end of March we have got to go from here, but if this leisure project doesn't happen we can have a month at a time ad hoc. But the landlord in another building isn't going to wait."

Plans for the £30million complex were put on hold because of a wrangle over a railway line which runs through the site.

Now work is set to begin on the land in August, with plans for a 10-screen cinema, bowling alley, health club and fitness centre on the land, to be developed by Peel Holdings.

But bosses at the karting centre, and members of the motorsport community, say Blackburn needs a place where youngsters can go to use their machines legally, from controversial go-peds to high powered trail bikes.

Mrs Ward said: "We are doing good work down here. We have go-peds on a Thursday night, and last week there were 30 of them down here using their go-peds that would have been on the streets.

"We have found a site and the landlord is in agreement for us to use it. But we have got to find £100,000 to move, so if somebody wants to help that's great, even if somebody wants to sponsor it.

"I am asking either the council to help or a sponsor to step up to the plate. We are not looking for a handout."

Peter Gombof, of Bolton-based Champ North West, a firm which runs a legal biking track on Shaws Farm, Stockclough Lane, Feniscowles, said: "There is a definite shortage of places for people to go and ride bikes safely. I think it's a service the council should provide."

And Ross Walker, owner of the Rockets Centre on Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, said: "The karting centre is a good service that does help the community. For a sponsor it could be a decent money-spinner if it is run properly.

"There is profit in it but it has got to be somebody who is willing to take it all the way."

Councillor Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said: "The council's business support team provide help to businesses relocating within the borough and in some cases can provide grant assistance to help with costs. We are keen to keep the karting centre in the borough and officers are working with them to try and find a solution."

Potential sponsors can contact the centre on 01254 683684.