HELLESDON Community Centre at Horwich provided the setting for the rain-affected British Individual cycle speedway finals on Bank Holiday Monday.

And top performer for Bury-Border Flooring was Robert Pearce who stormed through his first qualifying race to claim his place in the under-16 final.

His was an inspired ride as he got the better of the eventual champion, local rider Darren Slater, in the process.

Ben Scranage of the local club also made the last sixteen but he took three rides to do it in the qualifying series.

In the grand final, Robert started well with three second places but was very unlucky to register a last place in his fourth ride before winning his last ride for a total of 14 points.

Ben also won one ride to achieve his total of 12 points, Robert finishing in joint fifth place and Ben, joint seventh.

There was no joy for Bury riders in the senior event for during the weekend's semi-finals, Neil Howarth scored an aggregate of 23 points and Paul Dyson 18, both falling short of the last qualifying score of 29.

The final was dominated by East Anglian riders with Phil Howells of Hethersett, dubbed the "golden boy" of Norfolk cycle speedway, taking the title of British champion.

Tameside's Terry Norman, as the only northern qualifier, scored 14 points.

Sunday's action is at Sheffield in the Northern Fours and Junior League.