SHE may be only four-years-old but this "pocket rocket" is already picking up medals at national BMX competitions.

Emelia Harvard-Taylor is sponsored by a national level race team and is now training hard in her bid to become the UK's next Olympic star.

The St Mark's Primary School pupil came third in her first BMX Series national event in Kent and is due to take part in similar contests in Scotland, Peckham and Birmingham in the coming months.

The fearless youngster followed her big brother, Brandon, into the sport last year but Brandon, eight, is currently out of action due to an injury sustained outside of the sport.

Their mum, Dawn, said: "Myself and my husband are very proud of them both and love watching them race.

“Her first event, the Deep South Winter series, was in November and she won first place. She brought a massive trophy home that was bigger than her.

“She has just done her first British BMX Series national at Cyclopark in Kent at the weekend and she was the youngest there. She raced two days and got a podium finish with a lovely medal to come home with.

“She has so much passion, it’s unbelievable. She loves the sport and she knows what she’s doing and how to use the bike properly,” she added.

Emelia trains with the Bournemouth BMX club in Iford twice a week and attends races most weekends all over the country.

She is now ranked fourth in the country for her category, and has the potential to participate in the world championships in July.

Dawn explained how nerve-wracking it can be watching her daughter participate in the extreme sport.

“I have kittens when I’m watching her. As a mum my heart sinks when I see kids crashing but they have so much passion and are incredibly fit to get back up and on the bike in most cases.”

She said Emelia has no fear in the sport and gives every race her all. "She's a real pocket rocket," she added.

And she thanked St Mark's School for their support.

The family, from Ensbury Park in Bournemouth, are now preparing for the next national series event in Scotland.