A speedway team has found a new site to set up a practise track - just in the nick of time.

Celebrations soon subsided for the Colchester Stars group after they were given a lottery grant to pay for a new shale track, but could not find anyone who would do the work for them for the price they could afford.

The lottery grant of £6,500 had been boosted to £9,000 by Colchester Council, but they still could not find someone to do it.

As the deadline for using the money got closer the group despaired. They were finally saved by local contractors Elmy Landscapes, who agreed to take up the challenge.

Now work looks set to begin on the new track at the Shrub End recreation ground within the next two weeks. Riders hope to be able to use it by the end of August.

Founder of the group, Victor Duffy, 71, said they are all delighted about the new track, which will mean they can begin to host events of their own.

"When we started five years ago, I think the grass track was only meant to be temporary but then we wanted to change it and did not have the money.

"It is only because of the work of Keith Brooks in getting the lottery grant that we can do this. We were so worried we would lose the money because the deadline was getting ever closer.

"We are also grateful to the young lads at Elmy Landscapers who are doing this, for probably not much profit because they are keen to do something for the community," he said.

The club, which suffered at the hands of thieves last year who vandalised their bikes, will also be able to buy new competition bikes using £3,500 from Colchester Council.

Mr Duffy said they hope to hold a special event to launch the new track when it is completed.

By Lauren Spurgeon

Reporter's e-mail: lauren_spurgeon@thisisessex.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.