A PIONEERING club for young motorbikers has seen its first graduate reach the highest possible level of expertise on two wheels.

Dale Clement was one of the original members of the Mini Bike Club set up in 2007 with help from Durham Constabulary’s motorbike section.

Since then, the club has taught hundreds of young riders the basics of motorcycling riding and safety.

Now aged 18, Dale has passed his Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) motorcycle test – the highest standard a civilian motorcyclist can attain. Last week he went to police headquarters in Durham to be formally presented with his award.

Dale, from Sherburn Village, joined the mini bike club when he was just 12 and took to the roads with his first moped in June 2010.

He used the bike to travel to and from college for a year before buying a Honda CBR 400, on which he passed his motorcycle test earlier this year and which he now uses to travel to lectures at Sunderland University, where he is studying IT.

Dale completed his training with a test conducted by retired motorcycle sergeant and IAM examiner Bob Brown.

Mr Brown said: "When we first started the Mini Bike Club in 2007 he was just a young boy who came along to our first meeting with his grandparents.

"Dale and his granddad, Dave have attended virtually every meeting of the club to date and it has been a pleasure to watch him grow into a fine motorcyclist."