A former high-flying hotel chef whose career was destroyed by injuries suffered in a horrific motorbike smash was today battling for compensation in London's High Court.

Keith Bundy was once senior sous chef in the kitchens of London's Royal Lancaster Hotel.

He had high hopes of climbing the promotion ladder to become one of the nation's top chefs.

Mr Bundy's dreams were shattered when his motorbike collided with a car in Common Approach, Thundersley, on November 14, 1995.

Since then he has been unable to cope with heavier work than boardroom lunches for up to eight people.

Now Mr Bundy, of Harley Street, Leigh, is seeking more than £300,000 damages from the driver of the car involved in the crash - Harry Walker, of The Finches, Thundersley.

Mr Bundy's counsel, Ferzena Aslem, told the court Mr Walker's insurers had admitted liability to compensate Mr Bundy for his injuries.

It is up to High Court judge, Mrs Justice Hallett, how much Mr Bundy should receive.

The court heard Mr Bundy fractured his left thigh in an earlier motorbike crash in June 1990. The same limb was broken - only more seriously so - in the 1995 accident.

Mr Bundy's other injuries, including a fractured shoulder, have healed well but the damage to his left leg has left him with long-term disabilities, Miss Aslem told the court.

She added that Mr Bundy had to leave his job at the Royal Lancaster because he could not longer cope with the physical strain of running around a busy kitchen.

Miss Aslem said Mr Bundy's working life was now "vastly different" to the one he enjoyed so much before the accident and that his career ambitions had been thwarted.

Speaking from the witness box, Mr Bundy said he had sometimes been left in charge of the Royal Lancaster's kitchen in the absence of the head chef and bore a great deal of responsibility.

Although he returned to work a month after the accident he said it was soon obvious he could no longer cope with the demands of his job.

The hearing continues

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