A LEDBURY-based motorcycle sidecar duo have their sights set on European competition after a very successful start to their opening season.

Malvern rider Tony Starke, aged 36, and passenger Darren Wood, 34, from Ledbury, who ride for the Portobello Racing Team, are competing in the British Championships next month and are the first ever duo to qualify for the championships in their first year of racing.

Outstanding results, including several first, second and third places, have seen the crew qualify for the British Championship on July 21 followed a week later by the British Best Pairs.

This sees two crews compete as a team and the Portobello duo, who finished in third place at the Three Counties Show event last Sunday, team up with the Andover and Daventry pair of Tony Cook and Dan Crawford, who took second place at the same event.

Team mechanic Matthew Nye, 35, from Ledbury, said: "We hope to finish in the top six in the country so that we will be able to compete in Europe next year.

"The team has a five year plan that we hope will lead to a British championship and then we would like to be the first British crew to lift the European championship."

The start that the team had made shows that they are well on the way to achieve these aims.

Matthew said: "Just like any other sport you need financial help to succeed and we would like to thank D&R Motorcycles of Hereford for their help and support and our sponsor Shane Howells."

Anyone who would like to sponsor the team, especially if they qualify for Europe, can contact them on (01531) 632500.