SCRAMBLING round a muddy race tracks with incredible agility, a Widnes schoolgirl has taken the world of motocross by storm.

Grace Richards became the British Girls Motocross Champion and Girls National Champion the first time she competed last year.

The daredevil 11-year-old retained both titles this year.

The Wade Deacon pupil recently came first in the overall MX Championships after competing in 16 rounds against boys.

In France in July she was the fastest girl in the European championship.

Her mum, Joanne, 33, of Haig Road, said: “She is a girl competing in a male dominated sport. Everyone knows her as she is often the only girl racing the boys.

“You have to be exceptionally fit. She has a natural talent.

“She has done stuff 90 per cent of boys wish they could do.”

Grace’s exhilarating success was dampened when thieves stole her two distinctive American imported Cobra 65cc bikes – marked with her name and race number ‘145’ on Thursday.

Offenders broke into an outbuilding at her home and also helped themselves to a Yamaha PW50 belonging to her four-year-old brother Jude who also competes.

All three bikes are worth almost £9,000.

“Grace was really upset,” said Joanne, who works in internet marketing.

“We feel violated as if someone has targeted us.

“It was her last race on those bikes last weekend. We have bought her a bigger 85cc bike because there is nothing else she could achieve on a 65cc.”

Grace loved two wheels from the moment she rode her first bike at the age of two.

Her dad, Ian, 38, who has his own shop fitting business, took her out on a motocross bike when she was eight.

“She just took off with it,” said Joanne. “She really enjoys track life. There is a lovely family atmosphere.

“She will now go through the ranks on bigger bikes and hopefully turn professional.”

Grace competes across UK and Europe and trains throughout the winter.

Safety, her mum stressed, is paramount.

“It is a super expensive sport,” added Joanne. “Helmets are £400 and body armour £500.

“We would never send our children out without the correct safety equipment. We are appalled to see youngsters riding on the streets without helmets.

“We only take them to proper tracks.”

Anyone with information about the stolen bikes can contact Cheshire Police on 101.