AN amateur photographer with a keen eye for fast cars has been featured in a charity book that aims to help improve safety in motor sports.

Dunlop Tyres launched the project last year, and appealed for images that could capture the "Thrill of the Drive" - the title of the book.

Of more than 500 entries, a total of 100 were chosen to be included in the limited edition book which will raise funds for The Motorsport Safety Fund.

And among them was one by Jamie Buchanan, 52, a marketing manager from Loosley Hill, Loosley Row.

He said: "I was quite chuffed - I thought it was a good, evocative picture and seemed to go along with the brief, and the publishers agreed. I gather the book's on sale now, but I haven't seen it in its published glory."

Mr Buchanan caught the image of the famous French rally driver, and former champion, Bernard Darniche, during the 1999 centenary celebration of the Tour Auto.

Mr Buchanan took the picture as the motoring legend thundered through the Forêt de Sedan, on the French-Belgian border, in a 1972 Alpine Renault.

Mr Buchanan, who is married, and has two sons and a daughter, said: "It's an event in which 200 cars compete, from out and out racing cars to road cars. It's the sort of thing that could only happen in France, with pure racing cars driving on the roads. It's quite a sight. My wife and I trailed across northern France following it, through Belgium and into Germany. We were en route to the Spa Circuit."

But Mr Buchanan remained modest after the recognition of his photographic skills. He said: "I'm reasonable, but in a very amateur way. I have always had an interest in sport. I go to Le Mans from time to time. I enjoy historic races, and I go to a few meetings at Silverstone."

Money raised by the volume will go toward The Motorsport Safety Fund. The charity, formed in 1974, works to improve safety in motorsports with lectures, publications and films on marshalling, fire fighting and rescue procedures.