Loreburn Primary pupils meet cycling champion Anna Shackley in Dumfries

Loreburn Primary pupils were put through their paces in a fun-filled day with top time-trial cycle champion Anna Shackley to help promote the British National Road Race Championships in Dumfries next month.

They met the Scottish rider and under-21 time-trial ace at the Crichton on Wednesday before taking part in a cycle skills session with Scottish coach Greig Mullen.

Loreburn headteacher Lesley Farrell said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the children and they have all been very excited about it.

“And it is exciting to think the British Championships are coming to Dumfries and Galloway. They are all primary five pupils and were asked beforehand if they were all good cyclists before we brought them along.

“Now, hopefully, they will come and support the cyclists when the championship takes place.”

The competition is from June 23 to 26 and the time trial is due to start and finish at the Crichton.

Anna, 21, is from Milngavie, Glasgow, and was delighted to take part in the promotion.

She said: “I am part of World Team SD Worx and I am excited about the event coming up. We have 13 riders in the team and we are all ready to go. I am sure I came to Dumfries many years ago on holiday when I was younger and it is great to be back for this.

“My personal choice of bike is the Specialized and I like it.”

Greig Mullen is a Go Ride coach with Scottish Cycling and he taught the children lots of tips and tricks.

He said: “I go around schools and get the kids introduced to different areas of cycling including safety. It is phenomenal to see the look on their faces when they get started and you see the progress that they make. It gives them the opportunity to get outside and away from computers and the chance to play outside.”