Shropshire to host British Cycling Series
More than 2,500 BMX riders will descend on Shropshire after the county was chosen as a venue for next year's British Series.
British Cycling announced Telford and Blackpool as new venues for 2016. The other rounds will take place in Manchester, Birmingham, Cumbernauld, Peckham and Derby.
Top riders from across the UK will battle it out on August 6 and 7 on Wrekin Riders' BMX Race Club's £250,000 track in Dawley.
Volunteers are now planning for a boom in visitor numbers as riders often want to ride the track before the competition.
Club chairman Kieran Edwards said: "This is fantastic news for Wrekin Riders and for Shropshire.
"To host a national round is a real feather in the cap for Wrekin Riders and will certainly put our track on the map.
"The club has seen a significant increase in riders over the last 12 months, including novice riders and expert riders who have been travelling to our club from other areas.
"We have built up a very good reputation as a friendly, welcoming club which prides itself on a high standard of track and coaching for all levels."
Edwards told of how a lot of work had been carried out at the track by himself and volunteers over the last 12 months.
Club treasurer Jo Edwards added: "To secure a national round is fantastic, but we know there is a lot of work involved between now and then.
"Without our dedicated volunteers this wouldn't be possible. Everything we do as a committee we do for the children, because seeing their smiling faces makes it all worth it.
"Over the last 12 months we have seen children as young as four progress from novice to expert and who are now looking forward to their first season of national racing in 2016.
"For those youngsters to be able to race on their home track at national level is brilliant."
