A RACING driver who was born in County Durham is to compete in a charity kart race against some of the sport's best.

Andrew Bentley, 25, will be one of four of the UK's most talented young saloon-car racing drivers joining forces to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

They will take part in the BP Ultimate Celebrity Kart Challenge in Birmingham on Friday, January 11, as part of the Autosport International event.

Mr Bentley, who was brought up in Barnard Castle, made his saloon car debut in this year's ELF Renault Clio Cup series and achieved a best result of eighth position on two occasions.

The former Teesdale Comprehensive School student started racing karts at the age of 15 at Warden Law, in Sunderland.

Mr Bentley, who is now based in Northampton, works as a film production co-ordinator away from the track.

He said: "Every racing driver out there will want to win the race outright, that's in our nature. But the main reason to be involved is helping to support one of the UK's most worthwhile charities.

"It's a fantastic event to be involved in. I'm really looking forward to it.

"Some former F1 drivers will be racing as well as some drivers who are at the top of the sport today, so the competition should be great."

Although Mr Bentley spends most of his time racing cars on different tracks around the world, he said he always looks forward to returning to the North-East.

"My parents still live in Barnard Castle and my sister lives in Darlington, so I always love coming back and I'll be with them all in the North-East for Christmas.

"They always give me plenty of support and whenever they can get to a race they will come and watch me."

Mr Bentley attended the Silverstone Motorsport Academy in 2004, where he received recognition as their top graduate.

All donations to the charity race are welcome and any local businesses who would like to sponsor Mr Bentley's squad are asked to call 07773-424295.