A TEENAGE motocross rider who was paralysed from the chest down in a horrific accident is celebrating after passing her driving test.Laurie Squirrell, who lives in Hitcham, aced the nerve-wracking exam at the first attempt yesterday, after just a handful of lessons.

A TEENAGE motocross rider who was paralysed from the chest down in a horrific accident is celebrating after passing her driving test.

Laurie Squirrell, who lives in Hitcham, aced the nerve-wracking exam at the first attempt yesterday, after just a handful of lessons.

She can now gleefully rip the L-plates off her specially modified mini - and plans to use her new-found independence to get out into the working world.

The 17-year-old spent months in hospital after breaking her back in a high-speed crash as she was practising for her first professional motocross race in San Antonio, USA, last year.

Returning home in March, Laurie set her sights on learning to drive - and the experience gained from her motocross background proved invaluable.

Last night, she said: "I'm so excited - I just want to drive everywhere. I haven't got out of my car all day.

"I think my experience on bikes helped me to pass quickly because you know about the concept of breaking and accelerating.

"I suppose I've actually been driving cars at home since I was ten years old, and I think that helped me as well."

Laurie took the test in her mini - which boasts modified accelerator and brake pedals - in Colchester, after just two months and "eight or nine" driving lessons.

"I was confident," she said. "My instructor told me I was a good driver and that I would pass, but you just never know.

"I got really nervous beforehand, but I think that was a good thing."

And, after enduring the test which every teenager dreads, Laurie was delighted to pass with just eleven minor faults.

She said: "I sat there after the test and the driving instructor was looking at her sheet but I counted up the minor faults and realised I'd passed before she told me - I was so happy."

Laurie thanked her driving instructor, Ashley Hubbard, for his help in getting her through the test - and said she is now preparing to tackle another challenge.

She said: "I'm probably going to start work now so that should be a challenge. I've got a job lined up at a motocross clothing company called So-Cal.

"It's based in Ipswich so it's not too far. I think I'll be doing things like promotion and sponsoring other riders.

"I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait."