Margate model maker Hornby has launched a fitting tribute to one of Britain’s speediest World Rally champions.

Colin McRae, who died in September 2007 in a helicopter crash close to his family home, will be honoured through a special collection of 1:43 scale die-cast replicas.

Hornby, which owns the iconic Corgi brand and is based on the Westwood Industrial Estate, is producing models of the 14 most important competition cars of the Scotsman’s career.

They include the 707 LHT Mini Cooper - which celebrates McRae’s first ever championship win aged 16 - and the Subaru Impreza - the car that took him to glory in the 1995 World Rally Championship.

A replica of the Colin McRae R4, designed and tested by Colin himself in his pursuit of the ultimate racing car, will also be produced.

Hornby hopes the new range will raise awareness of the Colin McRae Vision, an organisation that raises money for various children’s charities and works to reduce the number of fatal accidents involving young drivers.