THE REGION'S over-40s have been asked to rally to the rescue of the North-East Veterans' Athletic Association, which is in danger of folding through a lack of officials.

The Association needs a new secretary, treasurer, team manager, news letter editor and three committee members to avert a crisis, says President Denis Field.

Field, who has been a leading influence in the association since it was founded 23 years ago, said: "It seems that the majority of our members are indifferent about the organising of events - they are happy to take part and then disappear.

"The officials and committee members are all over 55 and most over 60 - we need some 40-50 year olds to come forward.

"The Association certainly cannot go on like this and if we do not fill the vacancies the problem could become a crisis."

A hard core of four officials - Field, Geoff Wood, Ron Stewart and Val Hancock - are prepared to soldier on, sharing the duties in the short term, but any members willing to offer their services are asked to contact the Association, which holds its AGM at Gateshead International Stadium on January 17 (7.30pm).

* The North-East Vets cross-country champions, open to all veterans who are members of athletics clubs and qualify for the North-East by birth or residence, will be held at the Foxhunters Playing Fields, Whitley Bay, on Saturday, February 5. Entries, which cost £4 for NEVAA members and £6 for non-members, close on January 31

* Only two athletics events are being staged over the holiday period - the Morpeth 11K road race on New Year's Day (1pm) and the Old Monks six mile multi-terrain event from Hart Village, Hartlepool, on Sunday, January 2 (11am).