Six-year-old Zach from Carlisle takes the mountain biking trails by storm

The stabilisers had just been removed from Zach Norman’s bike - who was five at the time - before he was hurtling down mountain biking tracks and trails within a matter of months.

Zach's father, Paul Norman - also a keen mountain biker - was amazed the progress his son has made.

"He loves being out on the bike, and everyday he gets a bit better and a bit more confident," said Paul.

"When he came off the stabilisers, I decided to take him on to Hammond's Pond, where the BMX track is and he just loved being on the dirt and trying to jump his bike.

"I just thought, 'wow'. He was only five at the time.

Father and son: Paul Norman and son, Zach

Describing the first time he saw his son riding on a trail, Paul said: "When I first saw him on the trail, he had so much control over his bike and I was so proud of him.

"I was just in the moment and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He had only been off stabilisers for six months and it was just amazing to see how far he had progressed.

"Being on a bike is his happy place, and you can't beat a kid in their happy place."

"From personal experience - To do a jump or take on any obstacle when you're out on a trail, it takes a lot of confidence.

"If it goes wrong you could end up down a bank or hitting a tree.

"He just had that confidence.

Biker: Zach Norman, six, has been downhill mountain biking since he had his stabilisers removed at the age of five

One of Zach's favourite places to ride is Whinlatter forest near Keswick, where he has even been braving some of the red tracks - the second hardest colour grade in mountain biking.

Grades progress from green, which are the easiest, to blue, red and black.

Paul said: "The first time he went to Whinlatter, he surprised me at how confident and good he was at riding on proper trails.

"For where he is at his age, and his progression is not very common.

"Trails are a big thing and even blues can be dangerous for someone who doesn't have that confidence.

"I don't push him, I let him do what he wants to do.

"I've always said that however much I would spend on a games console for him to sit in and play a game, I would rather spend it on a bike."

Competition: Paul hopes his son, Zach, can go on to achieve great things if he keeps up his new-found hobby

Paul admitted that downhill mountain biking can be a dangerous sport, but said he had faith in the abilities of his son.

He added: "It can be a dangerous sport. the last time I was out I broke my wrist and things can go wrong in an instant.

"I've had a metal plate and wire put in [my wrist]. As far as breaks go, I think it was probably one of the worst ones I could have had.

"I always worry about Zach, but I know that he's got all the safety equipment that he could possibly have on to keep him safe.

"It doesn't matter where he's biking, he's always got a full face helmet on."

Paul has not long been mountain biking himself, but says it is something he always wished he had taken more seriously and that he feels he now gets to live through his son, Zach.

He added: "When I get out with him I get to see what I could have been out doing."

Follow Zack on his YouTube channel, MTB BOY ZACH.