A Shropshire racing driver has taken his fight to save the county’s schools from closure to the racing track.

Steve Roberts, from Belle Vue in Shrewsbury, has used space on his racing car to stick on a “Save Wakeman School” slogan.

Mr Roberts’s daughter, 15-year-old Hannah, attends the school and, in a bid to save it from closure, he slapped on the slogan with the hope of his car getting noticed on Motors TV.

The school is on a hitlist of nine schools across the county set to be closed by Shropshire Council.

Plans are now out to consultation.

The 49-year-old was competing in a high profile motor race at Oulton Park in Cheshire yesterday.

He entered the Old Hall Trophy race during the International Masters’ Race meeting with his Formula Ford 1600 car.

Mr Roberts, who is also a former pupil of the school, said: “I think this is a really short sighted proposal. I think in the future it is going to restrict choice for future pupils.”

On putting the slogan on his racing car, Mr Roberts added: “It’s the start of the season and I thought I could help the campaign in a small way by giving it more exposure.

“I am always on the lookout for sponsors and it can be difficult to find them at the beginning of the year. With space on the car I knew what I had to do with it.

“This meeting is being recorded for television to be shown on Motors TV. I just hope that the car gets some time on screen.”

After qualifying in seventh place, Mr Roberts managed was second and was awarded a silver salver to mark his finishing position.

Mr Roberts has competed in the Formula Ford Festival and the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone.