A former race driver who was tragically paralysed after an accident at the age of 21 is set to open a new art exhibition in Tunbridge Wells this week.

Roger Pedrick was on the verge of becoming a professional driver when he broke his neck in a devastating crash at Brands Hatch in 1977.

The Formula Ford car racer spent five years in hospital and after losing the use of both his arms and legs and decided to begin painting by holding the brush between his teeth and using a specially designed machine that turns a canvas for him.

The exhibition, set to open at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells this Friday displays a range of works created by the 58-year-old.

He said: “I started painting because it mentally kept me going, I just love it. Being paralysed is incredibly stressful and mentally straining, so my art is a massive release and it takes me away from the troubles of life.

“Usually I will paint for a couple of hours nearly everyday.”

Mr Pedrick lives in the grounds of the Seven Springs Cheshire Home in Tunbridge Wells and has been painting for over 25 years, but this is the first public exhibition of his work.

"Painting has helped me survive over the years and it is so stimulating so I decided I wanted to show other people" - Roger Pedrick

He said: “I’ve sold a couple of pieces over the years but I’ve always been stuck by myself and never got my work out there. I usually just put it upstairs and leave it there.

"Painting has helped me survive over the years and it is so stimulating so I decided I wanted to show other people.

“Most of my paintings are really colourful and I will hardly ever copy anything because I just let the brush flow and my mind does the rest. Painting takes me away into another world.

“I love stimulating my mind by using vivid colours and unusual brush strokes. Kids from as young as two and three to 90-year-olds love the paintings because of the objects and colours. It’s fantastic.”

The abstract paintings created by Mr Pedrick will be made into postcards and Christmas cards following a scholarship from charity Foot and Mouth.

He hopes one day that his work will make its way around galleries across the country and inspire others.

Close friend of Roger and owner of Brands Hatch, Jonathan Palmer, will be opening the exhibition at the theatre on Church Road on Friday, August 15 from 5.30pm - 7.30pm.