A WAR veteran turned racing driver has picked up a top prize for his remarkable sporting achievements at a national awards ceremony.

Warren McKinlay, of Braintree, suffered brain injuries, a broken back and damaged pelvis in a motorbike crash while he was serving as a recovery mechanic.

But after his incredible comeback, he has now scooped the Sporting Achievement Award at the 2018 Disabled Motoring UK Awards.

The award is given to teams or individuals who have inspired disabled people with disabilities to take up get involved in sport.

Warren, was diagnosed with Cotard’s Syndrome following the accident. It is also known as ‘walking corpse syndrome’ with sufferers believing they have died and are living in purgatory after the accident.

He was medically discharged in 2006 and began racing with KartForce in 2016, which sparked off his desire to race. Since being discharged Warren has had to show the determination to get to a stage where he would be able to join the team and over the past two years being part of Team BRIT has reignited his competitive fire.

This season began with victory at the team’s first ever GT4 race in August alongside his team-mate Jimmy Hill. Together they finished the race first in class and fourth overall.

Warren had dreams of becoming a racing driver even when he was serving in the Army as a recovery mechanic.

As part of Team Brit he and his team-mates are pressing on with their plans to race at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2020.

He was part of the two-man team which took part in a support race at this year’s event, making history as the first team of disabled drivers to race at the French circuit.

Warren has also been coaching and mentoring new members of the team in a bid to bring them up to speed.