A private eye was hired to shoot a secret video of top chef Keith Bundy, who is seeking more than £300,000 damages for injuries sustained in a horrific motorbike crash.

The footage suggested Mr Bundy had made a good recovery following the accident, London's High Court heard.

Defence counsel Thomas Saunt said there was no doubt Mr Bundy, of Harley Street, Leigh, suffered serious injury.

However, footage on the video indicated he had made "a pretty good recovery."

He was seen walking relatively easily at a fair pace and chose to remain standing on a railway platform, rather than taking a seat, added Mr Saunt.

The judge, Mrs Justice Hallett, was urged not to award Mr Bundy as much as he claimed for lost earnings or additional travelling expenses.

It was claimed the high-flying chef worked at a glittering array of London restaurants before the accident wrecked his career.

His dreams ended when his motorbike collided with a car, driven by Harry Walker, of The Finches, Thundersley, in November 1995.

Although Mr Bundy struggled to return as a senior sous-chef at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel, he could not cope with the physical demands of the job.

He now worked for a small firm, said his counsel Ferenza Aslem.

Miss Aslem said it was likely hard-working Mr Bundy would have progressed further in the catering trade.

She went on: "He had done the hard graft and training. He had done all the difficult jobs which were badly-paid. He was beginning to work his way into more respected positions as a sous-chef or head chef.

"Mr Bundy was career-minded. There is no reason to think he would not have continued to be successful."

She declared: "He is now in a very different job than the one he trained for. He has lost his congenial employment. He will never again be fit to work in the busy kitchens of a prestigious London hotel."

Miss Aslem said Mr Bundy was not qualified to work anywhere else.

The insurers for driver Mr Walker have admitted liability to compensate Mr Bundy. Now the judge must decide exactly how much is due to him. Her ruling is expected today.

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