THERE was some local success when the Poole Charities Offshore Powerboat event was held at the weekend.

There were four races in the K Class for drivers aged 8-16, and one of them was won by 12-year-old Buster Hughes, from Southampton.

Ben Pocknell, eight, from Poole, was another winner in an event where the final was abandoned due to sea fog.

Fog also caused the cancellation of the Offshore Formula 3 race on Saturday.

On the Sunday Hughes was again a heat winner in the K Class while 15-year-old Will Nurse, from Stockbridge, also won.

The two other heat winners were Poole pair Hughie Stanley and Ben Moore.

In the Offshore Formula 3 event, Southampton's Sam Robinson and Fiona Bevis (Watford) won in Bad Buoys with an average speed of 36.61 knots (42.12mph).

Second were Colin Stewart (Essex) and Steve Yabsley (Loddiswell, Devon) in Obsession with an average speed of 36.52 knots (42.02mph).

John Puddifoot Royal Yachting Association powerboat racing manager and Offshore F2 RIB National Champion, praised the K Class competitors.

"Conditions were tough but the K Class competitors showed us all they are extremely competent powerboat drivers and are more than capable of shaking things up when they progress to racing the bigger boats," he said.

"As a sport we now have a structured way for kids to get into racing in a controlled safe environment.

"I'm sure they will achieve great things. From the performances we saw, I wouldn't be surprised if we have future world champions in that class."