STUNT driver and three times British rally champion Mark Higgins won the North Wales leg of the 2022 Bowler Defender Challenge last weekend.

The Abermule star has been the co-driver for a host of James Bond films with his last outing in Daniel Craig's farewell in No Time To Die.

Higgins has been at the wheel in four James Bond films – Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre and No Time to Die.

Higgins and co-driver Claire Williams were in action to mark the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise.

The duo won the North Wales leg of the 2022 Defender Bowler Challenge in Dolgellau in a time of 55 minutes and 12 seconds - one minute and 41 seconds ahead of their nearest rival

Land Rovers have featured in famous James Bond scenes for nearly 40 years, from Octopussy in 1983 to the new Defender in No Time To Die.

To mark the anniversary the Defender livery was painted black and gold with a special 007 60th logo.

Mark Higgins said: “The New Defender is a tough and capable vehicle when it leaves the production line and I’ve seen it perform really challenging stunts while on the set of No Time To Die."

Regulated by the Motor Sports Association and operated by Bowler, the 12-team 2022 Bowler Defender Challenge is designed to act as a feeder series for global rally-raid competitions including the annual Dakar rally.