[Lil-Lindz]

Top Gear star Richard Hammond is making "good progress" as he continues to recover in hospital following his high-speed crash in a jet-powered dragster.

If the TV presenter's condition continues to improve he may be moved on to a general medical ward in the coming days, a spokesman for Leeds General Infirmary said.

On Friday, Hammond, 36, got to his feet and walked, just 30 hours after the crash, his co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson said.

Hammond is in a stable condition in hospital where friends and family have been keeping a bedside vigil following Wednesday's accident at Elvington airfield, near York.

His wife Mindy told the Daily Mirror: "He's spoken and smiled. It's early days and what has happened hasn't really sunk in for him.

"But he's starting to look like Richard again. He's tough as hell and on his way back."

She added: "The whole family is overwhelmed by everyone's support. There have been so many flowers, cards and emails from around the world.

"To know that so many people love him is astounding. We want to thank everyone for their good wishes and prayers."

The presenter was seriously injured when the 370mph jet-powered Vampire dragster he was driving at speeds up to 300mph veered off the runway, flipped over several times and crashed on to the grass. He was airlifted to hospital.

Police and Health and Safety Executive investigations are continuing to establish exactly what went wrong in the incident that happened during filming for the BBC2 motoring show. The BBC has released no further information about the events leading up to the crash.