AN appeal is being made to the Government to save popular motorcycle time trials threatened by traffic laws.

Ashok Kumar, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, yesterday joined a delegation to Westminster, hoping to save the Saltburn Hill Climb.

He and members of Middlesbrough and District Motor Club, which organises the event, and sponsors, Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council, made an appeal to Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman.

The twisting motorcycle hill climb ran for 12 years from near the resort's Cat Nab car park, almost to the Tollbooth Cottage.

Revised traffic regulations, which do not allow for competitive races on public highways, resulted in the motor club dropping plans last September for the 13th hill climb.

The delegation asked the Minister if an exception could be made for the Saltburn Hill Climb, given that it attracted thousands of tourists and had an accident-free history.

Mr Ladyman was told the hill climbs are not a race in the conventional sense of the word, with a field of motorcycles leaving a starting grid together.

Mr Kumar said: "The Saltburn Hill Climb was a big red letter day in Saltburn's calendar.

"For the vintage motorcycle community, it was a national event, and a day when the pride and joy of the nation's vintage bikes were both on display and showing what they can do."

He said the deputation appealed to the Minister to look at amending the legislation to allow the event to resume.