FRIENDS from near Warminster are gearing up to take part in a banger rally to raise money for Julia’s House.

Stuart Taylor and Graham Sims, from Stockton, will attempt to drive from St-Quentin to Monte Carlo in a clapped-out car in the Monte Carlo or Bust banger race this weekend.

The pair will join around 100 other car fanatics from across the UK in the three-day challenge, reminiscent of an episode of Top Gear.

The friends will complete a number of challenges in their rusty Alfa Romeo, which they bought for just £100, in a bid to win points from their fellow drivers.

Mr Taylor, 42, landlord of The Carriers pub, said: “Graham spotted an advert in the Salisbury Journal and thought it looked like good fun, so when we were enjoying a pint at the pub one night we agreed to sign up.

“We’re both petrol heads and like classic cars – sadly I don’t think the car we’ve got could ever be classed as a classic.

“I bought it from a friend for £100 – it had just been rusting away on his driveway for 18 months so I snapped it up.

“We did a bit of work to get her through the MOT and now she’s good to go. Whether or not she makes it the whole way, we shall see.”

The pair have built a bar in the boot of their car which they will use to serve free glasses of G&T to their fellow drivers in return for donations towards Julia’s House.

Starting off in St-Quentin on Thursday evening, they will drive down to Dijon en masse before heading over the Swiss border, through the Alps and down to Turin before finishing up in Monte Carlo.

After the challenges, drivers will meet in Nice one final time for speeches and a presentation ceremony.

“I’m confident our trusty Alfa Romeo will survive but it’s going to be tricky going over the Alps,” added Mr Taylor.

“Even if it doesn’t make it, we’re delighted to be raising money for Julia’s House as it’s a fantastic charity.”