A MINI-MAD youngster had a massive surprise when he got to be co-driver to a world record stunt man.

Dylan Scott, of Lynwood Avenue, Clayton-le-Moors, thought he was going to Blackpool Pleasure Beach on a family trip.

But when his family pulled up at Ewood Park, Blackburn, instead he enjoyed a very different kind of white-knuckle ride.

The eight-year-old became addicted to the little car with the launch of the new Mini Cooper last summer but until the big day he had only ever dreamed about travelling in one.

So the pupil at All Saints Primary School got the surprise of his life when he was met by Mini official stunt driver Russ Swift who took him through a series of daring stunts.

Russ, who has a number of entries in the Guinness Book of World Records, has travelled the world with his show and featured on several TV programmes.

After speeding up and down the car park with a number of handbrake turns, Dylan said: "I thought it was going to be scary and it was but it certainly hasn't put me off Minis. This is something I will never forget -- it has been a dream come true."

The adventure was set up by staff at the Bowker showroom in Accrington after Dylan began visiting on a regular basis to see new models and colours arriving.

Dylan's mum Johanne, 27, who bought a Ford Ka just two months before the new Mini launch, said: "He's absolutely mad about Minis. Since the Bowker showroom opened in Accrington we have been down most weekends so he can sit in the cars and dream about driving them.

"Obviously this was the first time he has actually ridden one but what a way to start.

"He really is obsessive about the cars and insists we watch any television programmes about cars in case he sees one and we take ages every time we go shopping because we have to trawl through the magazines for anything to do with Mini.

"The staff at the showroom have been fantastic with him and we can't thank them enough for the time they have spent with him and the effort in setting this up."

The youngster's bedroom is also filled with Mini memorabilia including posters, framed pictures, models, a calendar, paperweights and a collection of toys with the Mini logo.

And if Dylan has anything to do with it there will soon be a new addition to the family as his grandad Kevin, 51, is looking for a new car.

He said: "My first car was a Mini Cooper so there is a possibility of me getting one and I'll always have someone to help me look after it."

Philip Crompton, sales manager at the Accrington showroom who made Dylan's dream come true, said: "Even though he hasn't bought anything Dylan is our best customer.

"We wanted to give him a Mini treat since he started visiting regularly and when we managed to book Russ Swift for the show it seemed the perfect opportunity."

As a memento of the day Dylan was also presented with a signed photograph of Russ and a picture of himself, Russ and Philip Crompton.