CHARLOTTE Farmer is more than five years away from driving on public roads - but she is hoping to make a name for herself in the summer sport of grass-track racing.

The 11-year-old from Winklebury, Basingstoke, is already in her second season of racing and she is hoping to improve on her best position of fifth in the six meetings she has contested so far.

Known to her friends as "Little Banger", the Cranbourne schoolgirl was taught to drive by her grandfather Jack Sherwood, a veteran of Tongham Motor Club, who is 62.

He bought the Mini which Charlotte drives and prepared it for racing.

Meetings are at Brick Kiln Farm at Four Marks every couple of weeks from May to October.

Charlotte competes in the novice section which allows children from 10 to 15 race. When they achieve a satisfactory standard, they can progress to the junior class.

Charlotte's mother Mandy Sherwood said: "The safety rules are very strict and each car has to have a fire extinguisher and a safety net.

"But, because Charlotte's a novice, my father has to always be in the car with her."