THOUSANDS of fans are expected to visit the region this summer for the first-ever round of the British Superbike Championship to be held in the North.

Croft Circuit, near Darlington, has secured a deal that will mean the event, originally planned for Rockingham, in Northamptonshire, will move to the North Yorkshire track this year.

Although the circuit handles crowds of 20,000 when it hosts the British Touring Car Championship and the British F3 series, the Superbikes could draw more than 30,000 people.

The size of the predicted crowd has angered some locals, who have complained about noise and traffic from the circuit.

Screened on Sky TV and BBC television, the sport pits race-tuned versions of popular road bikes against each other, with riders coming from all over the world to compete in the championship.

Croft director Trevor Chaytor-Norris said: "This deal will be a boost for the championship with a new venue on the calendar, and will offer live racing to a region starved of top-quality motorcycle sport.

"Croft has a long tradition of motorcycle racing and very much looks forward to welcoming the teams, competitors and spectators for what will be a fabulous weekend of motorcycle action."

Northern Echo columnist and Superbikes commentator Larry Carter said the news would be welcomed by Northern fans.

He said the Croft round could be significant for the championship.

He said: "As the circuit will be new to many of the riders, it could be a leveller.

"The front-runners are still likely to be there, of course, but the meeting could throw up some surprises."

A date has yet to be confirmed for the meeting, although negotiations are expected to be complete this month.

However, parish and district councillor Jane Parlour, who has represented residents angered by noise from the circuit, said news of the superbikes round was unlikely to be welcomed by locals.

She said: "There has been little or no change to the infrastructure around the circuit since it reopened in 1995, while the public transport network has probably got worse.

"What this is likely to mean for people who live in the area is another weekend of inconvenience, noise and disturbance. Once again it is the local people losing out."