A SPORTING craze could become a massive draw for spectators across the UK — and it all started in Prestwich.

Aviation enthusiasts Warren Sherman and Nigel Tomlinson had so much fun flying their drones — miniature aircraft chiefly used to record aerial video footage — that they started racing them.

The hi-tech hobby proved to be such a big hit, they built a racecourse at Drinkwater Park and invited 14 people to try it out in front of 100 spectators.

Competitors controlling the drones keep track of them by watching camera footage transmitted direct from the drones to a video screen mounted on the controller.

Last month's event was so successful that the pair are organising more events and they have founded the British First Person View Racing Association (BFA), which has become the official organisation for the new sport in the country.

Mr Sherman, who is chairman of Bury Metro Model Flying Club, which meets regularly on land in Egypt Lane, Simister, said: "We got in touch with the Forestry Commission, which owns the land in Drinkwater Park, and they sent someone out to check over the course.

"It took us about half an hour to build the course, mowing grass and laying down markers and it proved to be very popular with the racers."

The course is the first in the UK to be approved by the BFA and more events are set to be held in Prestwich in future months.

However, Mr Sherman said the new sport may have outgrown Drinkwater Park already.

"It can't accommodate many more spectators than 100 so we may have to look for a new venue," said Mr Sherman, aged 64, of Broughton Park.

He added: "Drone racing has lots of potential and it could really lend itself to television and to big spectator crowds. They already have big events in football stadiums in America.

"There is the possibility of us holding grand prix style events across the country as part of a series.

"Some of the best races are teenagers, perhaps because they are used to a similar concept by playing on computer consoles."

For more information: visit bmfa.org

To watch a video of the racing drones in action: visit tinyurl.com/drinkwaterdrone