THE award-winning motorcycle developed by CCM in Blackburn was the star of BBC 2's Working Lunch programme when reporter Rob Pittam took a spin.

The presenter learned how to ride the 404 series machine, built at the company's Shadsworth base, before discovering sales were rising at the same rapid rate for the bike.

CCM spokesman, Iain Macauley, said they had taught the reporter was taught to ride a motorbike in around 20 minutes, adding: "He didn't fall off once."

Rob Pittam interviewed three members of the management team - sales director, Bob Kelsall; production manager, Dean Edwards, and development engineer, Tom Unwin - and learned how sales had risen from 100 bikes a year to an estimated 4,000 in 2004 within the space of just four years.

"We are battling to keep up with demand at the moment," said Iain.

"The launch of the 404 series has been a spectacular success and we are now exporting around 40 per cent of our production."