RACING driver Jonathan Potts has signed a deal with a national tyre company after taking over part of his family motoring business.

Award-winning driver Mr Potts now controls the tyre side of Gary Potts Motors Tyreserve North-East, near Durham, and has big plans for the project.

He has signed a deal with tyre specialists Blackcircles, which he hopes will help make tyres the central component in the 21-year-old business.

"I've been racing cars since I completed an intensive race school course at Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix, to earn my race licence," he said.

"In only my first season in car racing, I won races and a championship, so I intend to use the same approach in business.

"I've been challenged with taking forward the tyre side of the business and I'm really excited about the opportunity.

"Eventually, my hope is that tyres become a focal point of the business. People have to have tyres, and I know all too well from both the racetrack and the garage how important they are for car and motorist safety."

His father, Gary, said he was delighted Jonathan had followed him into the family business.

He said: "The garage has expanded over 21 years - and now we're setting our sights even higher. While we do offer servicing, repairs and vehicle MOTs, eventually I would like to think we could focus on tyres exclusively."