Three Sussex sports kids have received important backing.

BMX prospect Scott Waterhouse has become a sponsored rider at the age of 14.

Scott has been supported by Team Boost (London) and Southwater Cycles and is a member of the Hawks BMX Club based in Slough. He rides a custom-built bike and his morale went sky-high when he became a sponsored rider.

His father, Steve, says his son also owes a lot to a local construction company, Mackley, who provide transport to races for local riders.

He is one mean BMX rider. Two years ago he was featuring in TV commercials as the 'Ready Brek Kid.'

Now the 14-year-old from Small Dole, near Henfield, is crunching up the opposition in BMX races all over the country.

Steyning Grammar pupil Scott finished third last year in the British BMX Championship at Burnham on Sea in Essex in his age group.

In the National Points Series he had several wins to reach the final at Peterborough. He crashed coming into the last bend but finished third overall.

He was badly shaken but walked off the track to the biggest applause of the day. Scott had better luck when he finished second in the Southern Area Championships.

Scott's ambitions for the future including winning a national title and then having a crack at the world championships.

Badminton ace Luke Thompson, 11, from Chiddingly, is to receive up to £250 from Seeboard to pay towards travel, tournament and kit expenses.

Luke has been been selected for the world class start programme run by the Badminton Association of England to develop players with international potential. The Ringmer College pupil is also the South East No.1.

Young speedway rider Kelly Watkins, from Eastbourne, has secured a sponsorship and promotion deal with Interspan, the ignition systems firm.

She said: "They've fitted a system worth £750 for me and are trying to get me a place with a Conference team. They were impressed with me at a training school they put on."