RESIDENTS are being urged to offer bikers a bed for the night as plans come together for next year’s Thundersprint.

Organiser Frank Melling is looking for spare bed and breakfast accommodation in and around Northwich for the weekend of May 7 and 8.

He said: “We’ve already got a crisis with bed space in the sense that everywhere’s booked up already – people are booking a year in advance now.

“I’m appealing for people who don’t run a bed and breakfast professionally but would like to offer bed and breakfast for that weekend.

“The Isle of Man TT has a similar scheme called Homestay because it has a far bigger crowd than the infrastructure can take.”

Frank discovered the lack of accommodation for the Thundersprint weekend while ringing round to find a room for a new rider.

He said people have started booking rooms as far a field as Altrincham, Crewe and Stoke in a bid to find a place to stay.

He is appealing for help from Guardian readers to compile a directory of alternative accommodation and spare rooms for riders and visitors.

“If people can let me know what accommodation they have got – whether that’s a double room, a single room, en suite or what ever – and how much they want for it then I can put together a directory of B&B accommodation to send to riders.

“For next year, we’ve got the best ever itinerary and we’ve got people staying over for longer because of what’s on offer on the Saturday.”

Saturday, May 7, will feature the Thundersprint Bike Show in Northwich town centre, with the Thundersprint itself on Sunday, May 8.

Anyone who can help should ring Frank on 01928 740498 or email info@thundersprint.com.