THE North-East organiser of a world kick-boxing championship says he is prepared to bankrupt himself to save the showcase event.

Father-of-two Goff Bates has pledged to plunder his life savings to rescue next month's tournament that has been threatened by a lack of financial support.

The cream of world kick boxing will converge on the Belle View Leisure Centre, in Consett, County Durham, on October 14 in the biggest ever event of its type outside London.

Retired nurse Mr Bates, 45, says he's still £4,000 shy of the £6,000 needed, but will pay the cash himself, rather than let the fighters down.

As senior trainer at Annfield Plain's Martial Arts and Sports Activity Centre (MASAC), he coaches Lanchester's 16-year-old world junior schoolboy champion Craig Richardson. He has spent six months organising the event that will see 1,000 spectators descend on Consett.

He said: "We are getting to the stage where we are now very, very desperate. We've raised about £2,000, but unless we manage to raise the rest we are going to struggle. If we don't get financial support, then I'll have to pay the rest myself - it's better than telling the competitors that it's all off. It may ruin me, but it would be too heartless to let the lads down.

"Derwentside is seen as the Las Vegas or Madison Avenue of kick-boxing. We provide the best fighters in the world, so we don't want to be seen as incapable of putting on a major tournament like this."

Members of MASAC raised £1,000 for the event last month when they completed a sponsored bag pack at Stanley's Asda store.

If all goes to plan, the Belle View showcase will see the undefeated Craig Richardson defend his world junior belt against Russian 16-year-old Ivan Silantiev, while Derwentside fighter Billy Soul, 36, will go up against Italian Marco Costagutta, 31, for the world senior title.

Mr Bates said: "I don't get paid for training the lads or organising these world title bouts, and the champions get a belt but no prize money. It's an amateur sport.

"We all do it for the love of the sport and the chance to get some worldwide recognition."

Next month's tournament will include two world title fights, two Commonwealth bouts and two Northern area fights involving fighters from the Annfield Plain club.

Anyone who can help should telephone Goff on (01207) 280427 or 07803 105483.