A TELEVISION programme dreamed up by a Worcester racing driver to find the next Michael Schumacher hits the screens tonight.

The Channel Five show Be A Grand Prix Driver, follows the fortunes of 1,000 entrants in Tim Matthews' event, the Exchange & Mart UK F1 Drivers' Challenge.

Competitors are whittled down throughout a series of stages, which include a fitness event at Worcester Rugby Club, as well as karting in Birmingham.

The winner will compete with Mr Matthews next month, in the FIA Thoroughbred Grand Prix for race veterans at Monza, Italy.

Mr Matthews, aged 49, of Astley Burf, near Stourport-on-Severn, said the television spectacular has been "amazing".

Budding Grand Prix drivers have been going through the whole range of emotions as they do battle.

"It has been fantastic," he added.

"It has been more exciting and interesting than we could have imagined."

"I am sure we are going to produce some very good drivers," he added.

Among the entrants are two Worcestershire racers Carl Tompson, 37 and Ben Griffiths, 24.

In fact, the two men enjoyed filming the show so much, that Mr Matthews asked them to join his team in the Sports 2000 Championship, which started this weekend at Brands Hatch, Kent.

"Carl bought them a car to share and we have just started testing," said Mr Matthews.

Mr Griffiths, of Bransford Road, Worcester, said he had great fun doing the show and was "over the moon" when Tim asked him to go racing.

"It is something I have always wanted to do," he said.

"It was great fun to be able to do it."

He was joined by Mr Tompson, of Boreley, near Ombersley.

"Testing is completely different from what I thought and the car is better that our expectations," he said.

"I have been involved with cars all my life but never done anything like this before."

Viewers can see how both drivers fared in tonight's Channel Five programme at 8.30pm.