A MOTORCYCLE racer tipped to become one of the world's best has had his career kick-started by a furniture company.

Chris Burns, 22, has been riding motorbikes since he was three and has won numerous championships since entering his first race at seven.

But in June, with eight rounds of the British and European Superstock Championships still to go, his sponsor withdrew support and Chris, of Newcastle, feared that his racing career had come to an end.

He said: "I was devastated because there was no way I could continue without a sponsor."

He wrote letters to companies seeking sponsorship and furniture company keenpine, of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, agreed to give him backing.