A GIFTED Garnock Valley trials rider is celebrating a huge first for Ayrshire after blazing a trail across the country.

Craig Houston (27) from Dalry recently became the first Ayrshireman to capture the Scottish Premier Trials Championship since the event was established more than 60 years ago

A mechanical fitter at DSM Nutritional Products in the town, Craig celebrated glory, after remarkably winning five out of eight rounds in venues across the country. Among the locations were Glen Nevis, Aviemore and Dunlop, along with Galashiels.

The Stevenston Motorcycle Club member was delighted with his success and said: "It's great to win such a major title as some of the top riders in the sport took part. I'm one of the very few from this part of the country competing as most of the participants are from the north of Scotland. I love the sport, as it's really challenging and am involved locally with Stevenston Motorcycle Club who have given me great support.

"Now I’ve won the Scottish Championship, I want to try and do better at national events down south, like the S3 rounds and the BTC."

He has been involved in the sport for more than two decades and explained: "My dad George, also a trials rider, got me into motorcycle sport, he got me a bike aged just four years old but it wasn't until I was aged 12 that I started competing."

Craig would like to thank Duncan Wood of East Neuk Trials Motorcycles and Reids Food Service Ltd of Dalry for their ongoing sponsorship support.