THE widow of former world rally champion Colin McRae had his former co-driver made bankrupt over a £450,000 debt.

Alison McRae took Colin Smith, a former close friend of the late rally ace, and his wife Irene, 48, to court after they failed to pay back cash she lent them.

Mrs McRae gave the Smiths money to invest in their property development business but it ran into severe financial difficulties.

The couple own a number of properties in Crossford, Lanarkshire, including Valley International Park and the Tillietudlem Inn, a bar and restaurant.

Their business C & N Properties Scotland went into administration in January with debts of more than £ 3.3 million. Mrs McRae, 45, of Lanark, is owed £451,504 by the company.

At a hearing at Lanark Sheriff Court she had the couple sequestrated over the outstanding debt.

The Smiths asked for more time to pay the money back, but their request was refused by Sheriff Nikola Stewart.