THE motor racing world paid tribute at a memorial yesterday for former racing driver David Leslie, who was killed in a plane crash.

About 500 friends and relatives attended the service in Dumfries for British Touring Car Championship star Leslie, who is credited with helping the careers of aspiring drivers.

Originally from Dumfriesshire, Leslie, 54, who lived near Banbury, was one of five men killed when a private jet crashed in Farnborough, Kent, on March 30.

There were no survivors in the accident, which claimed the lives of Mike Roberts, 63, Michael Chapman, 57, Christopher Allarton, 25, and Apex Motorsport boss Richard Lloyd, 63, of Hlmdon, near Brackley.

Leslie, a married father of two, was remembered at the service in the Crichton Memorial Church as a "gentleman", and a "world-class racing talent".

Le Mans winner Allan McNish was among those who paid tribute to Leslie during the hour-long memorial, which followed a private cremation.

McNish, 38, who began his career under the guidance of Leslie, told mourners: "He lit the spark in me. He was an inspiration to us all.

"The tricks David taught us, they were the foundation of our careers.

"He was a world-class talent behind the racing wheel."