A WOULD-be Neil Hodgson is hoping to attract sponsors to help him in his bid to become a superbike champion.

Antony Surkitt, 24, of Turner Street, Stacksteads, has been involved in the high-speed sport since he was 17 and in the past year has been regularly competing in circuit racing at Three Sisters in Wigan and at Aintree.

He said: "Over the last couple of weeks I have had a tenth and three fourth places and would like to do more, if I could get some financial backing.

"I began with motocross but progressed to road bikes two years ago and soon realised that I could take part in competitions. I bought a 1996 Honda CBR 600 race bike for £3,500."

Antony is responsible for all the maintenance on his bike and keeping it tuned so the engine and suspension are set to perform better on the race circuit.

He works as an upholsterer at Spring Vale Leisure, in Newhallhey, Rawtenstall, and his employers sponsor his racing.

He also gets help from Rossendale Kawasaki in Crawshawbooth, Sign Write of Whitworth, and Holts Slippers of Waterfoot.

He said: "To enter a race costs at least £100 when you take into account petrol, race fees and getting to and from the meet.

"Tyres also need to be replaced every two to three meetings and they are not cheap!

"Front tyres cost £92 and rear ones £132.

"The more help I can get, the further I will hopefully be able to go with my ambitions.

"My dream is to compete in the World Superbikes and be the next Neil Hodgson. He's a terrific rider and competitor".

Antony will get the chance to see his hero in action at Silverstone because he won a Lancashire Evening Telegraph competition for two tickets for the World Superbikes race on May 26.

He will be taking his fiance Rebecca Lloyd to Silverstone and said: "I love bike racing and just to watch them compete will be a fantastic experience."

The couple are getting married at Horncliffe Mansions in Rawtenstall on December 22 and Antony said: "We are saving up all our money to pay for the wedding!"

If anyone can help Antony realise his dream of superbike triumphs they can contact him on 07813370906.