A community is in mourning following the death of a much-loved local character in a car-racing crash.

Banger-racer Dave Beauchamp, known as 'Beech' to his many friends and fans, was crushed to death at a meeting in Hertfordshire at the weekend.

The sport-mad, self-employed mechanic, 40, died on Sunday when the car he was driving was smashed from behind against the perimeter wall of the circuit at Bovingdon Raceway, near Hemel Hempstead.

Emergency crews at the scene said the car had been bent in half "like a banana" after Mr Beauchamp's car was rammed into the concrete wall surrounding the 330-yard racetrack.

Hundreds of motor enthusiasts looked on in shock as paramedics battled to save his life after he suffered massive internal injuries.

An air ambulance was also scrambled and arrived at the track minutes after the incident, but despite local fire crews freeing him from the wreckage, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Beauchamp, of Hugh Allen Crescent, New Marston, Oxford, leaves two daughters, Emma, 17, and Charlotte, 12, who often travelled to races with him, but were elsewhere on Sunday.

At the Somerset House pub in Marston Road, 10 minutes' walk from the house he shared with his parents, Margaret and Rodney, landlord Graham Cass said: "It's a tragedy for the family and the community as well.

"As well as being captain of the Oxford Pub League championship pool team, he also played Aunt Sally. He was a real character and immensely popular. When he walked in he lit up the room. He was a really large part of this pub and will be seriously missed."

The regulars and friends of Mr Beauchamp plan to hold a wake in honour after the funeral, which has yet to be arranged, but is likely to be at St Michael's Church, Marston. Banger-racing competitors from across the region are also expected to attend.

Mr Beauchamp's younger sister, Alison, 28, said: "It was a complete shock and I was quite hysterical before I told my mother. My parents are both devastated. The girls are OK but it hasn't really sunk in yet. Everyone will remember him as a larger-than-life character. If he was in the pub, you'd know he was there. He was a fantastic brother."

A special memorial race day is to be held on Sunday, at Standlake Arena. Arena boss Keith Hook said: "Dave was a great ambassador to Standlake Arena and banger racing. He touched everyone he spoke to with his happy-go-lucky approach, he really was a great chap. Our thoughts and condolences go to Dave's family."