An Ilkley businessman is preparing to launch a campaign which could seriously improve the prospects of local sports enthusiasts.

Howard Scaife, who owns a Bradford machinery company, will unveil his ambitious fund-raising plans for 2003 to sports clubs in the town next month.

A long-term supporter of many different charities, Mr Scaife plans to draw on his connections in the worlds of both motor sports and show business to mark his 60th year in dramatic style.

Bright Sparks is a project he believes will generate the vital funds necessary to give local sportsmen and sportswomen the chance to compete at the highest level.

Consisting of a variety of special sports-themed extravaganzas to be held in Ilkley and further afield throughout 2003, details of the scheme will be finalised at a go-karting meeting in Bradford next weekend.

Mr Scaife, who will turn 60 on New Year's Day, said: "The meeting will be a chance to explain what is being planned with friends and colleagues, and to get everyone to agree about it, before we launch the project in Ilkley in January.

"It will also be an opportunity to get people out onto the go-kart track to enjoy themselves between Christmas and the New Year.

"My wife and I used to organise events for charity in Ilkley which became very successful and eventually we set up a separate account, called Avid Events, as a way of making it more formal.

"Now we want to move it all up a gear with Bright Sparks, to give it all an extra push. We've pulled a lot of top people into our events in the past - Robbie Williams was with us a few weeks ago and I know David Coulthard and a lot of the other drivers in motor sport quite well.

"So we will be hoping to enlist some of their support and to get celebrities along to some of the events. This is my hobby. I don't play golf or go fishing, I do this."

After meeting with fellow enthusiasts for the Santa-Pud Challenge, a post-Christmas go-karting competition, on Sunday, December 29, Mr Scaife will bring his plans to Ilkley for the project's official launch next month.

Bright Sparks events being finalised include motor sports based fund-raisers across the country and "party days" based around the anniversaries of St George, St Andrew, St Patrick and St David.

The Ilkley Gazette is showing its support for the campaign by entering a go-karting team, the intriguingly named Small But Perfectly Formed, for next weekend's race.

Editor Mel Vasey, meanwhile, will also be aiming for driving glory as he dons racing helmet and gloves for Mr Scaife's group, Team Randy Bulls.

More details about Bright Sparks and what exactly it will mean for sports enthusiasts in and around Ilkley will appear in future editions of the Gazette.