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Richard ‘Hamster’ Hammond was seriously injured while filming for the popular BBC2 motoring show last year

Richard Hammond has invited hospital staff who saved his life following his 288mph crash to a book signing in London.

The Top Gear presenter has asked the doctors, nurses and air ambulance staff from Leeds General Infirmary to attend Covent Garden’s Hospital Club to thank them for their help.

Nursing staff from intensive care, the neurosurgery ward and A&E are attending the event.

Elaine Andrews, the Matron responsible for neurosciences, said: “Richard’s accident and the huge level of interest it prompted in the care we provided for him at Leeds General Infirmary is something all the staff involved here remember very well indeed.”

“It will be interesting to meet him again and see him fully recovered”, she added. “We are hoping to maintain a link between Richard and the hospital in the months and years to come.”

Richard ‘Hamster’ Hammond was seriously injured while filming for the popular BBC2 motoring show last year when the jet-powered car he was driving overturned and crashed at 288mph.

Hammond was immediately airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary and remained there for five weeks, making a complete recovery.

And on this Sunday’s episode of Top Gear, the hour-long show will feature Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May participating in the 24-hour Britcar endurance race – which saw Hammond in another accident.

The diminutive star was shunted off the track in a £100,000 BMW 3-Series.