A NINE-YEAR-OLD motorcycle trials rider from Hurworth has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair asking him to save his sport.

Robert Waite, a Hurworth Primary School pupil, sent the letter after Saturday's Richmond Motor Club youth trial, at Marske, near Reeth, was cancelled by the landowner.

The event fell victim to new Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs rules which say landowners applying for payments under the single farm scheme must not allow motor sport on their land.

In his letter, Robert told Mr Blair: "I am really scared of you and your government because you are putting at risk the sport I love, Trials Riding, by passing a Defra law.

"You want children to be healthy and get exercise - I am and you are trying to stop me.

"It is all very well organised and we learn lots of new skills and make loads of friends ...You are not only my Prime Minister but my MP too so please do this for me."

His mother, Julie, said he had been trials-riding for about 18 months and he was incensed when the event was cancelled.

"Robert loves the sport," she said. "He came third nationally in his class last year and he's now moved up to the next level.

"The event on Saturday was purely a youth trial for children aged six to 16 years. But because the farmer couldn't make any sense of the ruling and on how it would affect his subsidies and livelihood, he cancelled the event."

Robert trains at Dalton Woods and Ravensworth, near Richmond.

His father, Phil, also rides and Robert's younger sister, Beth, is hoping to take up the sport.

Mrs Waite said: "Robert rides at the weekends regardless of the weather. We have been out in the snow.

"There is a big group of children who enjoy the sport, especially in Richmond."

She added: "We have friends who are in the police and they say there is a problem with kids riding motorbikes illegally around the streets. If this law goes through it will only increase this behaviour.

"I don't think they've thought it through and how it affects businesses and people's lives."