Teenage Cumbrian speedway star Kyle Bickley has received a double boost.

Bickley, who had signed for Workington Comets until his hometown club decided not to run this season, has been signed at reserve by Glasgow Tigers.

The promising youngster, who turned 17 on Wednesday, has also agreed a sponsorship deal with Carlisle-based company DSD Construction.

“I’m very grateful to have DSD’s support,” he said. “It’s such a big company which is ran so professionally, and it’s growing.

"It’s good to get a bit of backing off them and help to give them a bit more publicity. Obviously, they aren’t based far away, so it’s quite local and should work for them and me.”

On signing for Glasgow last Friday, Bickley, who also races in the National League for Belle Vue, said: “I got a call in the early hours of the morning, asking if I can get up there for 9am the next morning.

"So, I had a few hours to pack a bag. I set off at 6am that morning having not had much sleep, went to training camp, met all the management, the fans and signed.

“It’s a big relief. I had a place [at Comets] at the start of the season.

"But what has happened to Workington is unfortunate, it drove me and another six riders out of a team place. Fortunately, though, I have managed to get a place with another team which is brilliant.”

DSD managing director Shaun Nugent added: “When Mitch Graham approached us on behalf of Kyle, we said ‘yes’ straight away because you cannot beat local talent in Cumbria.

"When you see young talent like Kyle, you want to help them.”