Local motorbike racing champion Angela Cragg has received a jump start in reaching the top of the motorbike scene thanks to her colleagues at Armstrong Watson.

The 22-year-old Audit Senior from Appleby, who works in the Kendal office of Armstrong Watson accountants, has been involved in classic bike racing since the age of eight and started competing in May 2003.

Angela was looking for a sponsor to help her cover costs but didn't have to look very far after her bosses approached her with a sponsorship deal worth £1,000 per season.

As the only female in her chosen events, Angela's biggest achievement to date is winning the 250cc Ducati Championship in 2003. She also proudly claimed seventh position out of 102 males in the Auto 66 Championships.

Angela said: "I've grown up with motorbike racing. Both my dad and grandfather took part in the sport competitively. I'm very grateful that Armstrong Watson encourages and supports me like they do. It's an incredibly expensive sport to be involved in and their financial backing has allowed me to progress by entering more championships and generally covering the costs of competing."

Her thoughts have now turned to next season, where she will change track from hill climbing and sprint racing - which sees competitors racing against the clock to road racing, where she will battle it out head to head with her competitors.

Angela continues: "I'm really looking forward to next season and am planning to enter three different championships. I've been training hard for it so I'll be ready for the challenge. I think I'll definitely be the only female competing again this season but I'm quite proud to be out there doing it for the girls."

Stephen Hollins-Gibson, senior partner at the Kendal office, said: "We're extremely proud to support Angela in her racing. We're very eager to continue sponsoring her and hope that it can help bring her even more success in the future."