A DEPUTY headteacher has taken on a second role in her spare time, acting as the chief of a motorbike riding charity.

Claire Beckett, 35 from Waltham Abbey is the first woman to be given the role of Chief Observer with the East London Advanced Motorcyclists (ELAM), an organisation which teaches people to ride a motorbike.

Her role means she is responsible for ensuring that the company follows correct guidelines and provide the best quality coaching for aspiring motorcyclists.

She said: "Of course I was shocked to be voted into the post by my peers. To think that I only joined ELAM because of the improvement that it made to my husband's riding."

Claire joined ELAM seven years ago and rides a Ducati 749Dark.

She is now hoping to encourage other female members to go on to greater things and said: "I see myself as a beacon to other female members that anything is possible.

"It is great to see the faces on male bikers when they realise that it is a lady riding the Ducati in such a progressive, yet safe manner. It really annoys me that many in the biking fraternity still look down upon lady riders."

ELAM Chairman Anthony Fitzgerald said: "Claire has consistently broken the mould with regard to female motorcycling. She is a great asset to ELAM and we hope that many more members will aspire to be as good as she is at riding a motorcycle."

For more information on ELAM visit elam.org.uk.