FOUR friends from Bradford are raising money for charity by trying to get from Blackpool to Benidorm in a clapped-out old hearse.

Daniel Dawson, Nathan Midgley, 26, Robbie Adamson, 28, and Wayne Hart are taking part in the Benidorm or Bust Banger Rally.

The challenge - which they are aiming to complete in three days - features 200 bangers travelling 1,500 miles and their owners completing tasks along the way.

The foursome paid £525 for their 1988 Granada hearse, which they will drive from Bradford to Blackpool on Tuesday, before the challenge starts on Wednesday morning.

They hope to raise at least £1,500 for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

"I cannot wait to go now," said Mr Dawson. "It is an event I found advertised online. You pay an entry fee and buy an old banger and see how far you get.”

Mr Dawson said of their unusual choice of vehicle: "It is not too bad. We have put in some of our own money to improve it a bit, and local companies have helped us out.

"I am an AA patrol man and Nathan is a mechanic, so we have got some mechanical knowledge."

Mr Dawson, 27, and Mr Hart, 37, will also drive the hearse back and plan to display it at car shows in the future.

"We thought we wanted to do an animal charity and came up with Guide Dogs. We are hoping to raise £1,500," said Mr Dawson.

A spokesman for Guide Dogs for the Blind said: "We are delighted that they have chosen Guide Dogs as their charity and it is a very eye-catching way of raising money. I know they have had a few local sponsors as well.

"The money they raise will go towards training some new dogs that will go to help blind and visually-impaired people live independent lives. It is absolutely fantastic that they are helping us with that.

"It costs a lot to train a dog - £5,000 per dog per year. We get no government funding so we rely on people like Dan and his friends to help us raise money."

Mr Dawson added: "I would also like to say thank you to the companies that have helped us - the Old Yorkshire Pit hog roast company in Otley, Studio 38 tattoo parlour in Eccleshill, and Zorstec Exhaust Solutions of Shipley."

To sponsor Mr Dawson and his friends, visit www.justgiving.com/teamdog or text 'dogg49' followed by the amount you want to sponsor to 70070.