A wheelchair basketball team on a winning streak may have to abandon its dream of promotion due to a lack of funds.

Members of the Bradford Bears junior team have taken the basketball world by storm, reaching second place in the league in their first season.

They have won a sought-after place in Division Three North play-offs for promotion to Division Two having won nine out of 12 league games.

But the club has told the eight team players that there is no money to send them to London where the play-offs take place next month.

The under-21 players, who have beaten Manchester Mavericks, Sheffield Steelers and Lancashire Bulldogs, are devastated.

Team member Aurantzeb Ayub, 19, who has been playing wheelchair basketball for four years, spoke of the team's heartbreak.

He said: "We have worked so hard this season and have surprised everyone. Our dreams have been shattered by a shortage of money.

"We are desperate for people to help us out because we are so confident we would do well in the play-offs.

"We are a young team just starting out on our careers. This would destroy our morale and be such a huge let-down."

They are now appealing to sponsors to help them out.

The cost of transport to London as well as accommodation and living expenses for the team would be more than £1,000.

The team trains at the Richard Dunn Sports Centre, Odsal, under coach John Sharp.

Mr Sharp said they needed to pay for two nights in London for eight players and three helpers.

Joe Fletcher, chairman of the Great Britain Wheelchair Basket-ball Association said: "From our perspective it would be disappointing if the club would be denied the opportunity of coming to the play-offs because they could not afford the costs. It would be a far greater disappointment for the players who have put in time and effort into playing games."

Anyone who can help should contact Mr Ayub on 07816 408386 or secretary Paul Binks on 07711 454419.