Former Stamford Bridge rally driver Jonny Milner continued his fine start to the season by taking second place in the Pirelli Rally at Gateshead.

The rally was won by Isle of Man driver Mark Higgins in a Ford Focus but Driffield-based Milner, will be looking to go one better in the next British Rally Championship event in the Rally of Wales on May 18.

York's James Thompson did not fare as well in what was only his second crack at the demanding discipline of rallying.

The touring car star slid his Peugeot into a ditch early on. However, he recovered bravely to finish sixth in the Super 1600 category.

Updated: 12:30 Thursday, May 02, 2002