MOTOR racers in North Yorkshire were joined by a TV star during their battle to win the North of England Championships.

Blue Peter presenter Liz Barker donned goggles, a helmet and overalls to race round the track with about 350 autograss racers at Green Hammerton yesterday.

Liz joked that competing in the ladies' heat had been the limit of her ambition, as her first attempt at racing, on Sunday, had seen both her, and the broken-down Blue Peter Mini, towed off the track by a tractor, in a cloud of dust.

But with nerves of steel, she flew around the track on her second attempt yesterday, amidst Minis, Novas and Fiestas, to finish last, with a best position of fourth. Liz said: "Autograss racing is a brilliant event and a real fun family day out.

"All the juniors can have a go from the age of 12, which is great for them because they can't go out on the road until they're 17."

Racer Mark Joslin praised Liz's driving technique. He said: "Her best position was fourth, but she got pushed around a bit so it pushed her back. She did very well."

Blue Peter's coverage of the championships will be screened on BBC1 on Monday.

Updated: 11:56 Tuesday, May 27, 2003