ASPIRING motor sports star James Johnston is busy preparing for a national competition which could put him on the road to stardom.

The 12-year-old has won a place in a national competition to find the next generation of racing talent.

Stars of Tomorrow was launched on BBC1's Grandstand sports programme with the backing of Formula One driver Jensen Button.

James, a pupil at Deerness Comprehensive School, in his home village of Ushaw Moor, near Durham, is one of 48 entrants in the Mini Max category for 11 to 13-year-olds.

It will see him take part in eight races at karting tracks around the country during the summer, in an attempt to win a place among the eight finalists.

The prize for the winner is expected to include a chance to drive with a works' motor racing team.

James caught the karting bug after visiting the Warden Law circuit, in a disused quarry near Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, last year.

He's become a regular at the North-East karting track, and has been asked to join two teams which use the circuit.

James now has his own Trulli Rotax kart plus all the racing leathers and helmet, but his father, John, said some form of sponsorship would be welcomed.

"It's only been a year now since he started going, but he's showed quite a bit of promise and it was suggested we entered him in this competition.

"This will be his first major championship and he's going in as a novice, but he's hoping to do well.

"He races most weekends and we are even going down to Lincoln to use the track that will be used for the first race in the series just to help him get familiar with it."

That first race is at the PF International track, at Lincoln, on the weekend of April 5 and 6.

Anyone interested in sponsoring James is asked to contact John Johnston, on (07899) 793619.