Paint brand Leyland Trade has moved into the 'fast lane' after it lent 12 helping hands to a high-octane charity event at the biggest show on the motorsport calendar, Autosport International.

Organised by former Formula One driver David Brabham's Racing4Charity organisation, the Celebrity Karting Challenge took place in the Live Action Arena at Birmingham’s NEC and when they needed to add a splash of colour to the grid there was only one place to turn.

Leyland offered up an incredible 12 Leyland Lovelies to act as grid girls for the event and with all of them representing a wildly imaginative colour from the Leyland colour card, including Velvetine Treat, Egyptian Sun and Lollipop, there was no shortage of eye-catching outfits to keep the spectators entertained.

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The race helped raise over £59,000 for Malaria No More UK, a charity which aims to ensure everyone at risk of malaria in Africa has access to a mosquito net by the end of 2010, and featured a legion of household names from Formula One, the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and World Rally Championship competing alongside members of the public.

Leyland's affiliation with motorsport hit top gear in 2009 with its hugely successful sponsorship of leading BTCC team Motorbase Performance and its nationwide Karting Championship, which encouraged professional tradespeople across the country to enjoy a taste of life in the fast lane.

And as Leyland Brand Manager Nicki Hickman explained, the inventive paint brand was only too keen to lend its support to such a fantastic cause and further strengthen its ties with motorsport.

She said: "Last year we undertook a wide variety of sponsored events to make money for Help for Heroes, culminating in a cheque worth thousands of pounds being handed over to them, and we are thrilled to start 2010 in an equally positive fashion.

"Our commitment to motorsport and charity has certainly turned a few heads across the industry and we are looking forward to continuing this throughout 2010."

To find out more about Leyland and its colour card visit: www.leyland-paints.co.uk