ONE of the world's greatest minds got his skates on to inspire a very special Hereford quiz.

Tomorrow's general knowledge test will raise money for the Midlands Air Ambulance which came to the rescue when Hereford Roller Girl (HRG) Fran Jones was seriously injured in a road accident.

And, as the final questions were being drawn up, Professor Stephen Hawking dropped in on a Roller Derby training session to settle any potential pub quiz problems.

HRG member Dee Montague said the scientist – famous for A Brief History of Time – was keen to see the girls in action.

"One of our skaters knows him and his carers and, on discussing Roller Derby, he said he'd like to see it," she said. "It was all very surreal."

Roller Derby sees two teams of skaters race while battling and blocking each other on an oval track.

The skaters finished the training session by presenting Professor Hawking with a HRG top with his own derby name – The Hawk – on the back.

Fran was cut free from her car in Pembridge in January and is making a good recovery after breaking her femur and dislocating an elbow.

The 24-year-old, who works at Ye Olde Steppes in Pembridge, still has her leg in a brace to support nerve damage sustained in her leg as a result of the break but doctors are hopeful she will make a full recovery.

She said: "It's been a tough year for me but I'm so grateful for the support I've received. This week I'll have met Stephen Hawking and held a fundraiser to say thank you to the people who saved me in the space of a few days. I don't think there are many people who can say that!"

Zoe Butler, HRG captain, said Professor Hawking said all at the club were so grateful to the emergency services and medical staff who looked after Fran.

"She's a valued member of our team and we wanted to give something back to say thank you," she added.

"She's coped with her injuries with an upbeat and positive attitude, which has been a real inspiration to all of us. The Air Ambulance relies on charitable donations, so we hope to raise a lot of money for them!"

Tomorrow's quiz at 1st Bowl in Hereford is being hosted by Bar Wars and begins from 7.30pm. Entrance is £3 per person.