HOLLYMOUNT Primary pupil Emilia Shuttleworth is on a roll after claiming two gold medals at the British Schools Cycling Association's national championships.

Emilia, aged nine, won under-9s titles in the BSCA National Hill Climb at Ditcham Park School in Hampshire and the sprint, pursuit, points and scratch race at the BSCA National Hard Track Championships in Portsmouth.

The two events were held over consecutive days in sweltering temperatures earlier this month, but Emilia's dad, Paul Shuttleworth, said his daughter showed real determination to battle through the difficult conditions to come out on top.

"I am very proud of Emilia, she has put in a lot of hard work over the last month, even going out training in some very wet weather," he said.

"When it came to the races the conditions were very hot and sunny, but she didn't flinch. She just went for it and got her just reward."

The hill climb was run over a one-mile course on a traffic-free South Downs lane, with the finish line at the gates of the school.

Competition moved to the Mountbatten Cycle Track in Portsmouth the following day when Emilia came first after excelling in four events.

Paul added: "The track announcer on the day gave Emilia the nickname 'The Flying Shuttle' after John Kay's invention and with her coming from Bury, which I thought was good knowledge on his part and has stuck."  

Emilia has been an active member of Bolton Hot Wheels cycling club for two years, where she enjoys competing in all forms of cycling, with her favourite being road and track.

Paul is a qualified British Cycling coach and ride leader, working as a volunteer coach at Bolton Hot Wheels and also rides for Rossendale Road Club.