THREE girls from North Yorkshire have achieved excellence in the male-dominated sport of motorcycle trials.

Katy Sunter, from Reeth, Kathryn Wardle, from Ravensworth, near Richmond, and Rebecca Rennison, from Morton on Swale, all competed last year in the first British Trials Championship series dedicated entirely to women.

The series of events held throughout the year across the country, including Derbyshire, Wales and Somerset, tested riding skills through and over natural obstacles such as rocks and streams.

Miss Sunter, aged 18, competed in the adult class and finished fourth overall. Miss Wardle and Miss Rennison competed in the under-15 class, where Miss Wardle was outright winner and her colleague fourth. Miss Wardle recently attended the awards ceremony at Rugby, where she received her ladies B class championship winner's medal.

All three are members of Richmond Motor Club and ride every weekend at events around the dales.

They are due to compete in the 2003 British Championships, which begin in May, and hope to ride in some European events.

Miss Wardle is training hard and hopes to be chosen to represent Britain in the Trials des Nations, the ultimate team world cup event for trials, in Italy in September.