Swindon Speedway is to have a new press officer/programme editor, with Chris Seaward taking over the post from the beginning of May.

Seaward, 23, was born in Marlborough and has followed speedway virtually all his life, since first attending at Blunsdon when just two years of age.

He has been involved with Swindon Speedway since 2005, submitting match reports and rider interviews etc. He has also been associated with BBC Radio Swindon since the summer of 2006, assisting with their speedway coverage.

Seaward is a broadcast assistant for the Saturday Sports Show and is the co-presenter of the station's extensive speedway coverage. He has also worked specifically on the station's online content.

His list of extensive credentials also includes being involved with Perth's Radio Fremantle since the summer of 2006. And, with that particular station, he was part of the first-ever broadcast team to follow the Australian Championship in its entirety, through late 2007 and into early 2008.

He has also written for the Tempus Speedway Yearbook series, as well as the Methanol Press Yearbook. Seaward was selected by a national panel for the prestigious ten-week BBC blast work experience scheme during the summer of 2007 and has received extensive media training.

The appointment must surely make Seaward the youngest speedway press officer in the country and the new man in the hot-seat commented: "This has my dream job for a while now and I'm delighted. I never thought it would happen so soon and I'm very grateful to Robert Bamford for helping things along in my direction.

"I hope to be able to do the same kind of diligent job that Robert has done over several seasons now, although he is a hard act to follow.  I'm really looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead and can't wait to get started."

The out-going Bamford, who has held the dual role since 2002 said: "Having decided to relinquish my responsibilities with Swindon Speedway, Chris Seaward was always my preferred choice to take on the position.

"Chris has given me huge assistance over the last three seasons and I feel that he has a lot to offer the club.

"Aside from Chris, I would like to say a big 'thank you' to several other people who have always been a tremendous source of encouragement and help, namely Les and Lucy Aubrey, Nick and Jonathan Barber, Graham Cooke, Les Fineing at Fineprint (Sussex) Ltd, Lee Poole, Dave Prowse, Glynn Shailes and Paul Hawthorne at our previous programme printers, Willow Design & Print.

"I should also like to thank the various members of the press and media for all their valued assistance over the years. Naturally, I am still going to keenly follow Swindon Speedway and will remain on board as the club statistician and historian. Finally, I'd just like to wish Rosco and the Robins all the best for the future."