A MEMORIAL trophy is being launched to remember one of the best-known faces in the North-East's rich speedway history.

As the sport prepares to return to Teesside, promoters of the eagerly awaited track at South Bank, Middlesbrough, have announced plans for a commemorative award.

The Peter Harrison Memorial Trophy will be presented to the most promising or improved young rider in the new Redcar team.

Mr Harrison, born in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was well-known around the speedway's former home at Cleveland Park, Middlesbrough.

Working as the old track's machine examiner for many years, until the track closed in 1996, the former postman was devoted to the sport.

In April, last year, he died of cancer, aged 58.

When his sister, Liz Whelan, heard the sport would be returning, she was quick to contact the club's promoter, Gareth Rogers, who said the award would be well received.

He said: "A lot of people will be very sorry to hear that Peter died of cancer and might not have realised due to the ten-year-gap in action since the demise of Cleveland Park.

"I think it is a positive that he will be remembered at the new track, and his sister seemed delighted that a trophy would go to a young rider, which would have been something very close to his heart."

Mr Harrison was a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast who gave mechanical help and advice to numerous Teesside riders over the years.

Mrs Whelan, also of Northallerton, said: "When I saw the article on the speedway reopening, I felt that I had to get in touch with someone.

"He would be over the moon to think that his name was living on and still linked with the speedway in Middlesbrough.

"He was well known by a lot of the riders. He absolutely loved it -it was his life.

"He would have been so pleased if he had known the speedway was going to start up again.

"It was always his dream for it to come back.

"I think he would have been a bit bashful about it, but he would have liked to know he was doing something for speedway."

The purpose-built track, at South Tees Motorsports Park, South Bank, is expected to open in April.