HALESOWEN has a national champion in its ranks thanks to the exploits of 11-year-old cyclist Joe Brookes.

The Halesowen Athletic and Cycling Club rider retained his National Best All Rounder title for the third year running this week after wrapping up the title in Leeds.

Joe had to compete in a variety of cycling disciplines to claim his crown.

He took part in cyclo-cross, mountain biking, circuit racing, hill climbing and grass track racing.

All the events were staged by the British Schools Cycling Association where Joe again proved the outstanding rider.

He won four of the five races that made up this year's National Series which culminated in the grass track racing which took place in Leeds last weekend - Joe duly clinching the title with another victory.

His father, Chris Brookes claimed: "We had to travel all over the country for some of the events. Apart from Leeds, we've competed down in Hampshire and up at Howarth in Yorkshire, although some of the other events were a bit closer to home at Redditch and Darley Moor near Burton-on-Trent".

Joe, who lives in Oldswinford and attends Oldswinford Primary School, cycles to Halesowen several times a week for training and to compete in their Friday night races.

Chris Brookes added: "Joe isn't trained by any one particular coach and sometimes it's some of the qualified parents who help out. I really pleased for him because he's worked really hard to win this title three times.

"Out of all the discipline's, cyclo-cross seems to be his favourite."