An Oxford man has won this year's regional Young Driver of the Year competition at Silverstone race track.

Duncan Marshall, 22, of Frys Hill, Greater Leys, passed his driving test 11 days after his 17th birthday.

He started driving when he was 14 with the Under-17s Driving Club, which teaches young people to drive to an advanced standard before they are old enough to have a licence. Now he instructs teenagers at the club.

He was one of 40 finalists on April 14, vying for the top young driver accolade at Silverstone.

The competition was launched in 1992 by Thames Valley Police and the family of Catherine Kenyon, who was killed by a reckless driver in Thame in 1990.

Finalists, aged 17-24, took part in four disciplines -- theory, skidding, manoeuvring and an hour-long road test, accompanied by a highly skilled police driver. Mr Marshall, an Oxford Brookes University student, said: "It was absolutely amazing winning it. I didn't think at any point during the day I would win.

"I would have been happy going away with nothing because it was such a great day."

Mr Marshall won two tickets for this year's British Grand Prix, £500 CIS car insurance and Green Flag breakdown service member- ship.

Winners cannot take part again, so he will not be able to defend his title.

Safe driving runs in his family. His father was made a class one driver by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Pc Steve Moffat said: "This year's event was very successful. "All of the finalists had a brilliant day out and there were some excellent prizes to give away. Next year's event is expected to be even bigger and will educate young drivers about safe driving and preventing accidents."

The next event is expected to take place next autumn.

Any companies interested in sponsoring the event can call Pc Moffat or Pc Gary Baldwin on 01296 396112.