BABY-FACED boarder Luke Brennan is set to take the skateboarding world by storm after he beat competitors three times his age in his first contest.

The six-year-old has been described as a prodigy, and only became involved in the sport after his grandmother won a board at the bingo.

Standing only 3ft, Luke gathers crowds of onlookers at the R-kade skate park in Redcar, east Cleveland, where he has spent every weekend practising since November.

The Pelton Community School pupil, from Chester-le-Street, came third in an open competition against 11 skateboarders - some of whom were over 18.

R-kade manager Nicki Whaites said: "He is amazing.

"I have watched him from his first day on a board and now he has people mesmerised with his tricks."

His dedicated father Lee, 35, has travelled hundreds of miles to let his son practice and encouraged him to enter his first contest.

Paul Chivers, part of the leisure team at Durham City Council, helped organise the competition at Coxhoe skate park in April.

He said: "He is so small it is unbelievable how good he is.

"No one thought he would be able to compete against the experienced boarders - but he came third."

The talented trickster, who has a new board after he outgrew his first, said: "I love skateboarding, I want to do it all the time. I want to come first next time and win more prizes."

The youngster, who also plays tennis, took to the board immediately when his grandmother, Marlene Brennan, came home from the bingo with a skateboard in November.

His mother Lynne, 34, a secretary, said: "She collects tokens every time she goes to the bingo and comes home with all sorts of presents for Luke.

"But the skateboard was his favourite and he has hardly put it down since. Everyone says he is so good, but he has never had any professional training. We are so proud of him."

Civil servant Mr Brennan said: "He just watches the other kids and copies their moves. He picks it up so fast, no one can believe he is only six, and has only been practising seven months."

For details on opening times and prices at R-kade skate park, call (01642) 483520.