BODYGUARDS across the world now have a new teacher - Malmesbury driving instructor Ray Sanderson.

Mr Sanderson will instruct and assess high-ranking security staff in protective driving skills, on behalf of the International Bodyguards' Association.

He was approached earlier this year by the IBA to help set up a formal qualification for security personnel.

Last month, he received a diploma from the group after successfully completing an intensive course in Surrey and will now work with it on the new venture.

In scenes reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster, Mr Sanderson was performing handbrake turns and escaping ambushes on his car and convoy.

He also had to diligently plan routes to and from destinations and stay aware of being followed.

In the New Year he will begin teaching protection officers the skills he has learned, as part of the new qualification.

He described it as an "exhilarating" experience, but said some of the situations take a lot of getting used to.

"You have to react differently when you're under attack," he said. "Your first reaction is to stop the car if someone blocks you, but you have to keep going.

"Not only do you have to collide with cars, but you have to collide with them in the right way, so that you can escape and keep going.

"It doesn't come naturally to begin with, but it was a great experience. I was very chuffed to have achieved it."

Last month's course was led by director general of the association Baron James Shortt of Castleshort.

Participants included close protection officers from Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Rwanda and Kenya.

"There is a market for it and it is an ever-increasing one," said Mr Sanderson who is also qualified in defensive driving.