Ayden is esports champ

With sport in lockdown, many are heading to the computer to get their adrenalin fix of competition.

Some of the world’s top sportsmen and women have been taking part in esports events including footballers Raheem Sterling and Trent AlexanderArnold, and F1 drivers Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.

Nearer to home, a 15-year-old Bridge of Allan schoolboy beat the odds to win the SMRC Esports Spring Xbox Championship.

But it was a nail-biting final race for Ayden Wilson before he was declared the winner. The Wallace High School pupil took part online over four weeks.

Going into the final round at Silverstone, Ayden (pictured) held a 37-point lead but a connection issue during the qualifiers meant he failed to qualify –and he had to wait to see if second-place Tam Hamill could claw back the points in the two races.

A third-place finish in round one reduced the deficit to 21 points but contact with another car in the second saw him spin out, retire – and hand the title to Ayden.

More than 200 drivers took part in the championship and a delighted Ayden picked up a £25 voucher for his win.

The teenager is keen to get behind the wheel of a C1 at Knockhill in the future after his exploits on screen.

“I really enjoyed it,”he said. “When I didn’t make the final it was hard waiting to see if I would win.

“I’m a racing fan so when I saw the competition online, I thought I’d like to get involved.”

Thrilled mum Pam added: ”We hope to get him in a real car soon in the C1s at Knockhill. He has driven at tracks in England but the dream is to get him a team and race professionally.”