A racing star dedicated his first title win to Ryan Lawford as he crossed the finishing line on Sunday to clinch the British Touring Car Championship.

Andrew Jordan shouted down the radio that the victory was for his close friend from Blean, who took his own life in January.

After clinching the title in a tense finale at Brands Hatch, Jordan, 24, remembered the 26-year-old former rallycross driver and talented engineer, who had worked with him for many years at the Pirtek Racing team.

He said: “I said to the team at the start of the year that we’d win it for Ryan. We’re all bitterly disappointed he couldn’t be with us but I know he was looking down smiling. When I crossed the line there was so much emotion. It’s been different this year without him.

“Our team miss him very much.”

Ryan’s parents, Martin and Julie, were at Brands to watch the team win the championship.

Mr Lawford said: “I’d like to thank Andrew, Mike Jordan and the whole Pirtek team. Andrew shouted down the radio as he crossed the line that the win was for Ryan and our whole family would like to thank them.”

So far, the family has raised £2,000 for the Demelza Hospice in Ryan’s memory.