Malachi Mitchell-Thomas grew up in Horwich and was a former pupil of Rivington and Blackrod High School

Malachi Mitchell-Thomas, who grew up in Horwich and is a former pupil of Rivington and Blackrod High School was competing in Northern Ireland on Saturday when tragedy struck during a race in which bikes can travel up to 190mph.

Loved ones described him as a friendly and loving young lad and by racing critics as a star in the making.

Leading the tributes was Malachi's father Kevin, who said: "I've lost my best friend. I've lost my son, but he died doing what he wanted to do.

"He lived for riding. He had taken to the roads and the crowds have taken to him.

"He had a fantastic personality and didn’t have a bad bone in his body."

Kevin, of Adlington, described how he was looking at the skies and "waiting to see the new star on show tonight".

Former racer John Burrows, who worked with Malachi on the Cookstown BE team, said: "I am totally gutted to have lost such a talented, friendly and lovely young lad.

"Malachi was like a son to us in the short time we knew him. Only (the day before he died), I told him that.

"Kevin made Mal the boy he was — so mannerly and appreciative. I will miss him so much."

Malachi's double-barrelled surname came from dad Kevin and mum Vicky Mitchell.

He began riding motorcross at the age of six, showing off his skills on a 50cc automatic bike.

He showed his class when he finished second in the World Mini Trophy under 10s in 2005 and also won a podium place in Belfast at the International Supercross Championship.

Three years later, aged 12, Malachi was given the chance to try out a purpose-built Supermoto bike and won in his third race, despite facing a more demanding course than he had ever faced before.

So impressed were race team WMRacing, they offered him a ride in the 2009 British Supermoto Championships.

It was at that point that Malachi's riding talents first caught The Bolton News's attention.

In an article published in December 2009, Malachi, aged just 14, was described as "one of motorsport's rising stars".

The authorities even had to change the rules to lower the age of entry so Malachi could compete in certain races.

Yesterday, Kevin added: "He had done great things during his life.

"Every time someone said 'we shouldn’t be doing that' we went against the grain and we did it.

"We didn't come (to the race in Northern Ireland) with a big bank account, we did it through hard work, grit and determination.

"I will be going to the (Isle of Man) TT and scattering Mal's ashes on the course, which is what he wanted us to do.

"The boy was a petrol head. He just wanted to go faster and faster and faster."

Saturday's crash took place at the Supertwins race at the Vauxhall International North West 200 event.

Malachi was on his third lap and on the approach to a part of the course called Black Hill.

The street race was immediately abandoned.

Malachi was treated by medical staff from the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland medical team, but he died at the scene.

A race spokesman said: "We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to Malachi's family and team."

On Facebook, family friend Denise Gillespie said: "What a horrific day.

"Malachi was such a talented young star taken way too son.

"What happened has shocked and saddened us all but I can't begin to imagine what Mal's family, friend and team are going through."