ASTLEY and Tyldesley are hosting the opening round of the men’s Battle of Britain and Elite Grand Prix Round One cycle speedway series at Gin Pit on Sunday.

The Battle of Britain match starts at noon and will see four teams in action - North and Scotland, Midlands, South East and Eastern and South and South Wales.

This will be followed at approximately 2.30pm by the Elite Grand Prix round, which will be contested by the best riders in the country.

The Midlands won last year’s truncated Battle of Britain series, while Birmingham’s Chris Timms won the Elite GP series, with Astley and Tyldesley’s Reece Pollitt runner-up and Ipswich’s Ashley Hill third.

The racing promises to be fast and furious, with Britain’s top cycle speedway racers in action. Spectators are welcome with admission, seating and car parking all free and refreshments on sale.

The racing takes place at the cycle speedway track at the Astley and Tyldesley Miners’ Welfare Club, Meanley Road, Gin Pit, Tyldesley, M29 7DW.

The corresponding opening rounds of the women’s Battle of Britain and Elite Grand Prix Round One cycle speedway series are at Hull the previous day.

The North and Scotland will be defending the Battle of Britain series they won last year, while Astley and Tyldesley’s Emily Burgess won the Elite GP series, ahead of Poole’s Sandra Tamborska and Leicester’s Lizzie Rigley (now Sheffield).