A new scholarship is to be awarded to young designers in memory of Geoff Lawson, who helped revive Jaguar’s fortunes in recent years.

He was top designer for the Coventry-based firm for 15 years and was behind a series of highly successful cars including the XJ220, XJ6 and XJ8 saloons, the XK8 and XKR sports cars and the S-type.

The F-type concept car, which was unveiled to universal acclaim at the Detroit Motor Show in January was also created under his guidance.

Mr Lawson died suddenly last year, aged 55.

A scholarship in his name has been created by Jaguar with the Royal College of Art.

It will be awarded annually to a student or students in the college’s Vehicle design Course.

The first award of the Scholarship will be in the next academic year.