NORTH Oxfordshire MP Tony Baldry is backing a sports club's bid to win thousands of pounds to pay for upgraded facilities in a competition run by local television news.

The MP joined supporters of Bicester Athletics Club's campaign at Bicester Community College on Saturday to urge people to vote in the contest to win £71,000 of Big Lottery money.

The club goes head-to-head against Bullbrook Community Centre, in Bracknell, on Thursday, November 29, on ITV's Thames Valley Tonight at 6pm, with the winner being announced the following day. To vote, viewers will need to call a local rate telephone number, which will be announced on the prog- ramme.

The number will also be in that day's Daily Mirror, on the Big Lottery Fund website, which is at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/ peoplesmillions, and the athletics club's website at www.bicesterac.co.uk The money would pay for improved facilities at the college for the club, residents and schools to use.

Mr Baldry said: "This is a fantastic proposal. Youth facilities are hugely important and this scheme would make a massive difference to Bicester.

"With these facilities, we have a fantastic opportunity to engage with the Olympics, and to even send a future Olympian from Bicester to the games."

Club chairman Steve Flynn said: "Bicester has never had an opportunity like this before and if we don't take it now we aren't likely to get the chance again.

"It's the last time the Big Lottery Fund is running this kind of competition.

"We're relying on everyone in Bicester and the surrounding area to spread the word and to encourage as many people as possible to vote on the day.''