YOUNG sportsmen and women are set to benefit from this year's Kidderminster Carn-ival, with the Back on Track Appeal chosen as the main beneficiary.

The appeal aims to raise £25,000 to replace sporting equipment lost in the devastating arson attack which destroyed the home of the Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club and Stourport Hockey Club.

The bulk of the appeal, amounting to £20,000, is earmarked for the biggest loser in terms of equipment in the blaze, the athletic club, with £5,000 pledged to the hockey club, which has members from throughout Wyre Forest.

The committee will also give a donation to the special olympics gymnastics team based at Baxter College to help with the costs of travelling to competitions.

Carnival chairman, Colin Hill, said: "Like everyone else, our members were outraged by the mindless vandalism that resulted in the blaze at the athletic club's headquarters and feel deep sympathy for the club and other users of what was a superb facility, catering for hundreds of children and young people.

"More opportunities are opening up for talented youngsters with special needs and a donation to the gymnasts will, hopefully, make it easier for them to take advantage of those opportunities."

The decision to support the Back on Track Appeal was welcomed by athletic club secretary, Sue Saunders, as "fantastic news."

She added: "I'm sure our committee will be delighted to learn that the appeal has been chosen as the main recipient of this year's carnival proceeds. It's great how people are rallying round to help us get back on our feet."

This year's carnival queen, Charlotte Berrington, is also a member of the athletic club and has won several county awards in javelin and high jump as result of the effort she has put in at the club and the time coaches have spent training her.

Stourport Sports Club was razed to the ground in the blaze in December and although the building will be replaced through insurance money, vital sporting equipment will not. The club, at Kingsway, is home to both the athletic club and Stourport Hockey Club.

The carnival will be held on Saturday, June 21 in Brinton Park and the start will be heralded by the traditional procession of floats and walkers through the town.

Any organisation - voluntary or commercial - interested in entering the parade or having a stall on the showground should contact Mr Hill on 01562 751634.