BRITISH Hill Climb champion Jim Henderson tops the bill when another quality field takes to the hills above Ramsbottom in Sunday's Lancashire Road Club Rake Hill Climb.

Always a popular event in the local sporting calendar, Henderson will be looking for a third consecutive victory on the punishing course that weaves high above the town.

The lung-bursting haul begins at lamp post No 3 outside the public library in Carr Street, Ramsbottom and proceeds via Carr Street, Tanners Street, Rawson's Rake and The Rake to finish at the lamp post opposite Exeter Cottage, Chapel Lane, Holcombe Village approximately 120 yards before the junction with Helmshore Road.

Average gradient of the 947 yard course is 1 in 8.8 with a maximum gradient of 1 in 4.8.

And there is plenty of incentive for anyone who can break five times winner Jeff Wright's 2 minutes 14 seconds course record with a cash prize of £100 up for grabs.

That's on top of a first prize of a Fausto Coppi "Torino" cycle valued at £600 supplied by Geoff Smith Cycles, Bolton.

The event is sponsored by Fort James and Bury Metropolitan Council with cash prizes down to 10th position as well as for juniors, veterans and team.

While Henderson is odds-on favourite to make it a hat-trick of victories the big fight looks to be for second place with local West Pennine rider John Bunting in with a shout.

Blackburn CTC will again prove to be hard to beat for the team prize.

The first competitor will depart the Carr Street start at 12.30pm with Henderson last off at 1.13pm. The presentation will be held at the Shoulder of Mutton car park approximately fifteen minutes after the final rider.

Residents over the course are respectfully asked to park their vehicles other than in front of their homes before and during the event.