A KARTING racer from Melksham has got back to winning ways after taking a year out from the sport.

Luke Preston, 14, a pupil at Lavington School, won at Whilton Mill karting circuit near Daventry in Northamptonshire in February.

He’s now practicing for the first round of the British Junior Karting Championship on Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24.

His father, Russ Preston, 44, of Melksham, said: “Luke has been karting since he was nine.

“We decided to take a year out from the sport last year because we could not find a sponsor but he has been working as a mentor with karting cadets throughout the UK.

“He was able to test drive a new PSR Parolin Racing Team kart at Whilton Mill and managed to record the fastest laps in his second and third heats and then won the final.

“He is now going to race in the British Junior Karting Championships this year.”