A young karting champ from Silsden has made a blistering start to the big time.

Ben Brittain took the chequered flag in the first race of the British Championships Junior Intermediate TKM series in Cumbria.

The 15-year-old from Bradley Avenue, who is having his first crack at the British Championship, beat race favourite James Bean in a thrilling final lap.

Proud dad John said: "When we were testing we were experiencing all sorts of problems, but it came right on race day.

"Ben sat behind the leader and he managed to save his engine and take him on the final lap to win the race by 0.24 of a second.

"To finish in the top 10 in the first race would have been fantastic, but to get first place in the first race is unbelievable."

The South Craven School pupil's achievement is all the more remarkable considering the tight financial constraints the family is operating under.

"There aren't many parent and son teams in the championship," adds John. "We are having to compete against factory support teams with big budgets which we are nowhere near."

Before having a crack at the championship this year Ben had the distinction of winning the Manchester and Buxton Karting Club Championship in back to back seasons.

The next challenge for the talented young driver will come in five weeks time with the second race of the championship down in Dorset.