EMMERDALE star Kelvin Fletcher is in the driving seat ready to race for the University of Bolton in the premier UK racing series, the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).

Kelvin, who played Andy Sugden, was on the track in his Chevrolet Cruz at the BTCC 2016 season launch at Donnington Park. He will be part of the Power Maxed Racing (PMR) team

The championship starts next month at Brands Hatch and runs until October.

University of Bolton Centre for Advanced Performance Engineering (CAPE) students were at the launch working in the pits for the PMR team.

Kelvin said: "This year, BTCC is a massive opportunity for me and for the university.

"Students will be there with us throughout the season — it’s a massive opportunity for them too, working with the Power Maxed team.

"This is great exposure for the University of Bolton.

"No other university is racing at this level.

"It is absolutely huge, and unrivalled. If you’re considering and sort of motorsport engineering degree, look no further than the University of Bolton."

Adam Weaver, Team Principal for PMR added: "It is brilliant to be associated with Kelvin and having talked to him and the University of Bolton it’s clear it is a very forward-thinking, inspirational, entrepreneurial university – exactly the sort of people we want to work with.

"It is thrilling to be involved with Kelvin and we’re looking forward to playing a part in training students and hopefully develop a very, very long-term partnership."

Rory Perrett, Director of CAPE said: "Our students are thrilled to be there in the pits, putting into practice what they’ve learned on their motorsport technology and mechanical engineering courses. This is great experience for them."

Kelvin was first sponsored by the University of Bolton in 2013.

He caused a stir by winning his debut season in a converted Mini, and was invited by Porsche to race in their GT3 Cup Challenge in 2013.