A SCHOOLGIRL has won a place in the record books after achieving a new national cycling speed record.

Joanne Wilman from Westhoughton shattered the 15.6 second 200-metre "flying start" record in the category of youth girls and set a new time of 15.53 seconds.

But the daring 12-year-old, who pedalled her way into the record books at Manchester Velodrome, is still keen to notch-up an even better record when she takes part in the National Championships in August.

Joanne, who has an eight-year-old brother called Adam, has been cycling for three years and has her own specially made bike. She was bitten by the biking bug thanks to her father Graham who has raced for the past 30 years.

The 40-year-old was part of a three-strong team which took part in the World Masters championships last autumn and scooped a silver medal. He said: "I was very nervous before she did it, but then it was just 15 seconds of do or die!

"She was relieved, but disappointed because she has done better practice times and is determined to do better next time."

Joanne had no time to celebrate as she was racing in Kirby, Merseyside, the following day and finished second, closely behind a 15-year-old.