An eight-year-old girl braved grim weather conditions to clinch first place in a top cycling competition.

Katie Lawson from Clayton-le-Dale, rode her way to glory at Great Harwood Showground on December 22, when she took part in the very muddy North West Cyclocross Association series competition.

Katie, who has been competing in Cyclocross events for the last three years, managed to lap all the other riders in her category to dominate the under 10 girls race.

Dad, Tim Lawson, who helped to organise the event, said: "I'm so proud of Katie, she's been doing this since she was five and she'd been ill in the run up to this event but luckily managed to find her cycling legs on the day to win first place."

Katie completed four laps of a 1km course in very tough conditions, and will now go on to compete in the Macclesfield Supercross on Sunday December 30.

She said: "I felt good after I won the race because it was not an easy course and I had to try hard to win. I think it's good for other children to do cyclocross because you can do some training and can make lots of friends."