A speed queen mother showed her competitors a clean set of tyres and came within seconds of becoming world champion.

Ann Bird emerged victorious from the final round of the Scalextric World Championships in Goring this weekend.

The East Preston mother completed ten laps of a 28ft circuit in 26.93 seconds to claim second in the world after 17 stages of the tournament, which also took place in Singapore, Barbados and Australia.

She narrowly missed out on top spot to Australian Peter Dimmers, who clocked a time of 23.12 seconds earlier in the year.

More than 100 people competed in 80 races over five hours at the final round of the championship on Saturday in the English Martyrs Church Hall in Goring.

The event was organised by Worthing HO Racing, which was founded in 2010 by Robin Cornwall and Andy Player as a not-for-profit slot car racing club.

Mr Player said: “Ann and her daughter looked like seasoned racers. Everything came together and she put in an amazing ten laps.

“Some people try and go really fast and come off and that blows your chances of winning the race.

“It’s not about being cautious. You have got to go fast but not too fast, driving at 95% not 110%.

“Ann was amused with the win but she was getting nervous near the end.”

Worthing HO Racing holds about 20 events each year with a monthly club.

Mr Player said: “We are serious in some respects but the club gets sons and dads playing together and having fun, and mothers and daughters too.

“We have to get used to losing out to mothers and daughters sometimes.”

Mr Player is confident that the world championships should return next year.

He said: “We are waiting to hear what is happening but I see no reason why we wouldn’t run another round.”

For more information visit www.whoracing.org.uk.