A MOTOCROSS rider had to juggle competing with studying for her GCSEs.

Leonni Tighe, from Whitworth Community High School, celebrated being second in the British Championships just weeks before collecting her GCSE results.

The 16-year-old has been riding Motocross bikes since she was five and has just completed her first year as a senior, against older and more experienced riders.

She is hoping her success will lead to a sponsorship deal that will help with the costs of her chosen hobby.

Leonni, 16, from Shawforth in Rossendale, was delighted when she collected her results to find out that she had gained two As in Performing Arts and ICT, two Bs and three Cs.

She said: “It was very hard for me because I was focusing on my Motocross while also studying for my GCSEs at the same time.

“I have now been picked for Team GB and will be competing in Europe.

“I never expected to do as well in my first year in senior competition because I was one of the youngest taking part against competitors aged up to 27.

“I am going on to Hopwood Hall College where I will be studying Sports Science, while also keeping up with my Motocross.”