A BLACKBURN motorcycle firm with its roots in Bolton is poised for rapid expansion following a £3 million cash injection and the appointment of additional key directors.

CCM Motorcycles Ltd -- it stands for Clews Competition Machines -- was established by Bolton scramble rider Alan Clews in 1971.

The business started in his garage at home, but he then designed and produced hand-built machines for motocross in a tiny workshop in Shiffnall Street, Bolton.

The firm expanded as its international reputation grew and a takeover package in 1980 led to the creation of Armstrong Competition Motorcycles Ltd.

It was based in Vale Street, Breightmet and won the Queen's Award to Industry in 1985 for the way it beat off Japanese competition to sell sports and competition machines to Canada, West Europe, Australia and the Middle East.

Other success included a win in the Isle of Man TT races.

But the Vale Street factory, which suffered from thefts over the years, was destroyed by firebugs in November, 1991.

The business, which later reverted to CCM Motorcycles Ltd, transferred to new premises on the Shadsworth Industrial Estate in Blackburn.

Mr Clews, the Technical Director, is on the current board with his son Austin, the Managing Director of CCM's Sport and Leisure Division.

Managing Director Peter Swift, who joined the company two years ago, is now driving the business forward with the help of a £2 million investment from investment management group Murray Johnstone and another £1 million from other investors.

One of them is Michaela Fogarty, wife of four times World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty.

She is currently spearheading a marketing programme.

Mr Swift and the new chairman of the board, Richard Robson, were responsible for the management buy-out of Massey Ferguson, Trafford Park in 1992.

The new company, Fermec, was sold for £60 million after four years, realising a 10-fold return on investment for the venture capital backers.

Julian Hickson, who was also previously with Fermec, has joined CCM as Finance Director from Cammell Laird Holdings plc, where he was North West Group Financial Controller.

Bob Kelsall is the Worldwide Sales and Marketing Director and Steve Cooper has joined as Engineering Director.

CCM, which currently employs 34 people, sees a big future for its hand-built on and off-road machines which have passed stringent European regulations to make them street-legal throughout the European Union.

Mr Swift said: "We were attracted to this business because of its competition heritage and believe that experience enables us to produce a superbly engineered range of both on and off-road bikes."