A fundraising page set up to help the recovery of a Maidstone superbike star who was involved in a horror crash has raised thousands of pounds within hours of going online.

Steve Mercer, 36, collided with a safety car during a qualifying race for the Isle of Man TT last month, on an evening where fellow rider Dan Kneen was tragically killed in a separate incident.

He was flown by air ambulance to Nobles Hospital on the island before subsequently being moved to Liverpool, having suffered a series of injuries to his pelvis, leg, ankle, heel, back, neck and voice box.

He is also battling a brain injury, the extent of which is not clear.

The rider had surgery the morning after the smash which "went as well as the doctors could have hoped at this stage", according to his wife, Caroline, but still remains in a critical condition almost two weeks on from the incident.

Race organisers have since launched an investigation into how the crash happened, while safety rules have also been changed to ensure races stop entirely whenever there is an incident on the course.

Over the weekend the family set up a crowdfunding page aiming to raise £5,000 to help Mercer's recovery, but by Monday morning more than £6,000 had already been donated.

Mrs Mercer said: "No one can predict what the future holds for Steve, we just have to give it time but I for one want to be able to give him everything I can that he needs to aid his recovery or make him more comfortable.

"It means a great deal to all of us to know that so many people care so deeply about Steve’s progress and recovery."

There also plans to auction off a number of items to help boost fundraising efforts further.

Mercer is a huge name in the sport, having recorded 16 top-20 finishes at the TT and lapping the course at some 129mph.

To donate to the JustGiving page, visit tinyurl.com/ycukoa4f