THREE days of thrilling high-speed action is promised when a venue in North Lancashire stages a national hovercraft racing championship.

Up to 60 hovercraft capable of travelling up to 80mph across land and water, are expected to compete in the contest at Dock Acres, Carnforth, starting tomorrow, Saturday.

The Rev Granville Spedding, information officer for the Hovercraft Club of Great Britain, said: "It is a good spectator sport in the sense that you get hovercraft going from land to water, and the occasional spills as well, when people fall out of the hovercraft."

He said the Dock Acres site, a former gravel quarry with a 30-acre lake, was a good location for racing as the winds blowing in from Morecambe Bay were often unpredictable.

Hovercrafts are supported off the ground and propelled by air, and Mr Spedding described it as like racing on a cushion of air, with no brakes, and being buffeted by the wind or the thrust of the craft in front.

The skill of the sport was keeping the hovercraft stable in the face of these hostile aerodynamic forces, he added.

It is the third time Dock Acres has hosted the contest, and Mr Spedding said it had the advantage of being close to the motorway off junction 35, with plenty of space for parking.

A number of races are planned each afternoon with four senior categories depending on engine size, and a junior section for 11-16 year olds.

Practice sessions will take place during the mornings.

The event is the first of the season, and forms part of a national championship of races.

Due to compete at Carnforth is Formula 1 national champion Robin Brickles, and Formula 2 champion Daniel Turnbull, who is originally from Kendal, and now lives in Derby.

For more information log onto www.hovercraft.org.uk