An 11-year-old from Maidstone has made history after been crowned World GT15 Powerboat Racing champion.

Ben Jelf – who turned 11 just days before becoming world champion – is one of Britain’s youngest-ever powerboat world champions after landing the title at Stewartby Watersports Club in Bedford last weekend.

Despite only taking up the sport two years ago, Jelf, pictured, last year clinched two British titles in the JT250 and JT250 Sprint Championships.

This year he entered the GT15 World Championship and held off strong competition from fellow Brit Charlotte Newton and Estonia’s Reio Kasnapuu and Sken Heidemenn to win all four of the competition’s heats and secure the crown.

Ben is the third member of the Jelf family to become a world powerboat champion, with dad Colin having multiple world titles and uncle Owen also having secured a world crown.

Proud mum Jeni said: "The whole family’s really proud of Ben and his world title. It’s easy to forget he’s only 11 and only been racing two years when you see how focused he is when he is racing."