Motor bike enthusiasts battled it out for pole position on two foot high machines on a west Wales circuit at the weekend.

The Mini Moto race featured 40cc bikes which reach speeds of 60mph but are a quarter of the size of the normal racing machines.

You get the same sensation on the corners as the big bikes

Nigel Morgan, circuit owner

Two rounds of the inaugural Welsh championship were held at the old Carew airfield in Pembrokeshire on Sunday.

Mini Moto racing originated in Italy 10 years ago and has been in the UK for about six years.

Enthusiasts are trying to attract more riders in Wales as the sport increases in its popularity.

There are various categories and riders vary from eight years-old up to 50 years-old.

Machines for junior racing cost between �1,000 - �1,400.

Adult versions cost between �1,800 - �2,100.

Bikes are smaller versions of normal racing bikes

There are no age or size limits for racers.

Nigel Worrall from Newcastle Emlyn is six feet two inches tall and weighs 18 stone but says he does not feel silly on such a small motor bike.

He said: "I do it because it's fun, exciting and cheap.

"It can be dangerous and we take it very seriously."

Circuit owner Nigel Morgan says it is not an expensive sport to begin.

He said: "Running costs are cheaper than karting.

"The attraction is that it is condensed racing without the expense of the big bikes.

"You get the same sensation on the corners as the big bikes.

Lack of riders

"We only have four Welsh riders in this championship so we need to attract more.

"Most of the riders come from the west of England."

Although the bikes look like toys there is nothing childish about the racing.

Nigel Morgan added: "There are injuries as there are in other sports - we have our share of broken collar bones.

"But you'll have days of racing when nothing happens."