Rolls-Royce backs 1,000mph supercar

The engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is sponsoring the Bloodhound project to build a car capable of driving beyond 1,000mph (1600km/h).

The company is providing financial assistance and technical support on the vehicle's EJ200 power unit.

This is the same jet engine that powers the Eurofighter-Typhoon.

Bloodhound will use the engine to propel it to about 350mph (560km/h) before a rocket kicks in and takes the car supersonic.

Colin Smith, Rolls-Royce's director of engineering and technology, told our correspondent Jonathan Amos why the company was putting its weight behind Bloodhound.