A JOCKEY from North Yorkshire who suffered serious head injuries in a racecourse fall is continuing to "make progress" in hospital, his family have said.

Brian Toomey, 24, who is attached to the Hambleton yard of trainer Kevin Ryan, was injured when his mount Solway Dandy fell at Perth Racecourse on July 4. He is now in the high-dependency unit at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital, having been moved from intensive care following an operation to reduce swelling on his brain.

Lisa Hancock, chief executive of the Injured Jockeys Fund, said: "Brian Toomey's mother, Marian, has told us he remains in the high-dependency unit and continues to make progress.

"Marian says Brian is able to move all four limbs and is no longer reliant on a respirator, but his breathing is being assisted by a tracheotomy. Although no longer in a coma, he does get very tired and needs lots of rest."

She said Mr Toomey's family and his girlfriend, champion apprentice rider Amy Ryan - Mr Ryan's daughter - had thanked everybody "for their continued support and all the cards and messages they have received".