THE chairman of Worcestershire County Council has thanked marshals who came to his aid after he crashed his car in a hill climb event at the weekend.

Councillor Peter Tomlinson had the crash on Saturday in the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, the nostalgic event open to any pre-1980 classic car.

The Ombersley councillor's car clipped the edge of one of the ess bends on the track, causing him to lose control and crash over the safety barriers, when the stewards raced to help.

Fortunately he suffered only severe bruising and a very dented car.

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Cllr Tomlinson said: "Unfortunately I lost control and ended up perched across the barriers.

"The action by safety crews and medical staff was instantaneous and I couldn’t have been looked after better.

"I’ve always considered Shelsley Walsh to be an example of how Worcestershire punches well above its weight and Saturday’s incident has only reinforced my view.

"The venue, founded in 1905, is the oldest motorsport venue in the world still using its original course. And what’s more it’s set in a beautiful location, amongst the rolling hills of our lovely county.”

Gary Hall, general manager of Shelsley Walsh, said: “I was delighted to welcome Peter back to our world-renowned venue however I hadn’t expected the day to work out as it did.

"Famous names such as Campbell and Segrave, John Surtees and Sir Stirling Moss have all hurtled up our famous 1,000 yard, 1 in 6 gradient track.

"We are proud to do our part to put Worcestershire on the map and very pleased that the chairman of the county council came to compete here.

"Motor sport does of course have its dangers, but our qualified and professional staff are always on hand as safety is our top priority and we are very glad that Peter came out of it relatively unscathed."

Cllr Tomlinson, the creator and ex-presenter of hit children’s morning TV show Tiswas, was elected to the ceremonial position for the authority last month.