Girl, 7, takes mini-moto racing by storm

A brave seven-year-old girl has been making a name for herself on the mini-moto racing circuit.

Nellie, from Sherston in Wiltshire, competes in junior motorcycle championships and has been beating riders up to the age of 10.

She reaches speeds of 55mph (88kmh) during races and already has professional racing in her sights.

Ian Harris, manager at M4 Karting in Hullavington, where Nellie trains, said she wass one of the "very best" he had seen in 20 years.

Nellie has won lots of races in her short career

Nellie's father, Chris, said his daughter "has no fear on the bike".

"She has a different riding style and seems to have a natural instinct for how to ride races," said Chris. "Especially her exit speed from corners."

Nellie's passion for racing began when she was just three years old, her family say, when she mastered a bicycle without stabilisers.

She graduated to a small electric bike and then a child-size motocross bike, before joining the junior academy at M4 Karting where her performances and competitive spirit stood out.

Nellie reaches speeds of up to 55mph in mini-moto championships

Mr Harris said: "She is amazing, she is a lovely little girl. Her ability is fantastic and she has come on leaps and bounds in the last 18 months.

"She started as a tiny tot with us, and it's fabulous how she has adapted.

"She's got no fear, lots of skill and is absolutely smashing it this year."

This year she has been racking up the wins and is rarely out of the top two in her class.

Nellie said she loves winning because she gets "medals and trophies".

It can be a tough watch for her dad as she reaches speeds of up to 55mph out on the track.

"My heart rate goes through the roof, it's knocking years off my life," said Chris.

"All sport holds some danger and she has had spills, but it doesn't put her off. She loves it."

Chris is always on hand supporting Nellie at races, but says it is sometimes hard to watch when she hits top speed

Chris hopes Nellie's enthusiasm and successes will encourage more girls to join the sport.

He recently asked what she wanted to do when she grows up.

"Nellie told me 'I already have a job, motor racing dad'," he said.