A 10-YEAR-OLD boy has dreams of becoming the next British motocross champion.

Riley Butterworth, from Blackrod, found a passion for riding after attending a race at eight years old with his parents, Leann and Tony Butterworth.

Now Riley has been selected for the prestigious Jude Morris Foundation, which was set up by the late rider’s dad to help support the next generation of motocross riders.

Jude died after a crash at the British Motocross Championship at Duns in the Scottish Borders last August.

Leann said: “Riley watched a race and just said he wanted to do it too, so we bought him a bike.

“But then lockdown happened so he didn’t get a chance to do anything until May.”

From there, Riley entered the British Youth Championships, finishing in 25th place out of 54 and finished 17th at the Western Beach Race.

Leann said: “My husband rode bikes when he was younger, but his family couldn’t afford to finance him to race.

“Once Riley said he wanted to do it, Tony was keen to support him and got him classes to continue and Riley’s commitment is how he got into the Jude Morris Foundation.”

There were more than 300 applicants, but Riley was chosen as one of 15, and will now be given some financial aid as well as support and advice in his motocross career.

Leann said: “When Riley started riding, he just took to it quite well, so his first race was just two months after he started, in July.

“He gave up a lot for a 10-year-old, like playing out was substituted for going to the gym and he had to make up extra classes at school for any short time he missed.

“Riley has so much ambition, it’s unreal.”

This year seems challenging for Riley because there are good riders who have been riding a lot longer than him already. But Jude was Riley’s age when he started too.

Riley and his parents live a busy lifestyle, driving to and from races around the country as well as organising training sessions.

Leann said: “We travel almost every weekend so it’s not easy, but we do it because he’s so dedicated to it and really deserves it. But it’s great to see him following his dream and doing well.”