MOTOCROSS hopeful Catherine King will be riding for her country as she represents Great British in the IMBA European Championship.

The dental nurse works in Chippenham and has been taking part in motocross since she got the bug for the sport aged just 12.

Rising through the ranks, she has now reached the peak of her game and is encouraging more women to try out the adrenalin fuelled biking sport by joining the British Women’s Motocross Association (BWMA) .

She said: “The thing I love the most is that motocross is like a family. Obviously when we are on the start line we want to win but we look after each other and after the race there are no bad feelings.

“Last year there was a specific competition, the British Women's Motocross Championship, set up for women in the sport and there were about 20 competitors. One year later and there were 50 so it is really growing fast.

“I like being one of the girls, it still surprises some of the men because there can be a bit of sexism when they see women in the sport but then they see what we can do.

"A big thank you to my sponsors Mikewoodtyres, Route2fitness, GPgraphics, Rip and Roll goggles, Dixon health, Midwest racing and Mindfx."

Miss King, 22, from Urchfont, sets off for Switzerland on Friday, where she will represent the country at the Internationale Motor Bike Association (IMBA) European Championship

Once there she will take part in time trials to determine her position during qualifying rounds.