IT GAVE kids in Odiham and North Warnborough something to do – and now an appeal is underway to revive the fortunes of a BMX track.

Founded in the early 1980s by former Odiham police officer Terry Clarkson, the track at Bartley Heath was a popular spot for young riders.

The BMX club, known as Terry’s Tigers, became successful, riding at competitions and fairs, but when it merged with other clubs, the track fell into disrepair.

Now, Terry’s daughter, Ria Stones, wants local volunteers to help bring the track and the club back to their former glory.

The 34-year-old, from Brighton Hill, Basingstoke, said the track would need to be cleared and a local committee or charity set up to maintain it.

She said: “Kids are using it now but it’s not safe. It’s quite overgrown.

“I do not think we will have a problem getting volunteers to come down and do the physical work. We are just trying to find a group of people that do not need to get their hands dirty but can do something for the community.

“Without that group of people driving it forward, we are really going to struggle.”

The suggestion to revive the track isn’t new.

In late 2013, members of Odiham Parish Council visited the track after receiving correspondence from a man called Richard Palmer, who set up a Bring back North Warnborough BMX Track on Facebook.

But, as reported in The Gazette, parish councillors were unwilling to help without a group of people willing to maintain the track.

Mrs Stones said she has the support of Odiham Parish Council and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, which owns the land.

To volunteer to help, contact Mrs Stones via her Facebook page, Community project – Terry’s Tigers BMX Club.