May 18 (GMM) Campaigns in Bahrain are stepping up in a bid to see formula one return to the troubled island Kingdom.

The FIA has extended until early June the deadline for a possible rescheduling of the 2011 event, as the front page of the Gulf Weekly insisted this week: "Bernie, come back, we're ready".

The headline was inked by editor Stan Szecowka, along with a front page petition that readers can sign that will be personally delivered to the F1 chief executive in London next week.

"We have had some difficult times recently and rescheduling the 2011 grand prix would be a tremendous boost to us all," wrote Szecowka.

Separately, more than 2000 signatures have been collected by a group of Bahraini F1 fans.

"The grand prix means a lot to us and to our entire country, and we want to do our small part in making it happen this year," a spokesman told the Gulf Daily News.

Also hoping to see the event return as soon as possible is Abdulrahman Al Morshed, chief executive of the National Hotels Company.

"If we get the F1 back it will make a massive difference to the international perception, so even if it isn't as successful as normal it will go a long way to bring business back to the country," he is quoted by the TradeArabia News Service.

Zayed Rashed Al Zayani, chairman of the desert-lined Sakhir circuit, has declared that Bahrain is now ready to host formula one again.

"If it was up to us, we are ready. We are ready to host it but unfortunately it is not our decision alone," he said.

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