WHEELBASE, the bike firm in Staveley, has come to the aid of Paul Trott (above, left), who will represent Great Britain at the World Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships at Ballarat, near Melbourne, Australia, later this month.

The firm is lending him a £3,000 top-spec machine to compete after his racing bike was stolen from a hotel compound after he had completed the TransAlp Challenge this summer.

Paul, who is 39 and works as an outdoor instructor at Ghyll Head Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Bowness, was third in the National Trailquest Championship Weekend held in Eskdale and is winner of the Cumbria Lanequest Series this year, and he also recorded individual wins at national events this year to earn his place in the GB team.

He said: "I wouldn't be able to complete at a similiar level without the bike. It's a top-line racing machine and the other bike I have is a lot heavier and a lot slower."

Pictured presenting Paul with his new bike is Wheelbase manager Chris Herd. (D4J042MH1)