BICYCLE manufacturer Tandem is to concentrate on becoming a horse racing-related leisure company.

Tandem, which recently moved its headquarters to York from Leigh, Lancashire, said the initial evaluation of acquisitions will enable it to develop along the track.

Chairman Graham Waldron said: "Acquisitions in this sector will enable the group to strengthen its balance sheet, increase its asset base and refinance the balance sheet."

His comments came as Tandem posted a loss before taxation of £1.01 million for the six months to August 2, compared with a loss of £202,000 for the corresponding period last year.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.