BOB Blackstock has spent a lifetime looking after roads - now he is going to have fun driving more than 1,000 miles over them.

Woolbridge Motor Club members, Mr Blackstock from Bridport, former county highways manager and Dave Hiscock of Blandford, are taking part in June in the Monte Carlo or Bust Banger Rally.

They want to raise money for two charities - Multiple Sclerosis Research and Blandford Historic Cupolar Project to restore St Peter & St Paul church.

The three-day rally goes from Namur in Belgium to Monte Carlo via Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

They've called their team, “Good Ol’ Boys – Dukes of Dorset” and they've risen to the challenge of finding a car for less than £300 - Bob's garage!

He said: "I had a 23-year-old Toyota GT4 languishing in the garage, having been laid up two years ago after failing the MoT.

"We decided to spend our £300 putting it back on the road and, with 170,000 miles on the clock, it rolled out in January, ready to be decked out like the General Lee from the 80s Dukes of Hazard TV series."

The car will be serviced and prepared by Jules at Bridport Car Repair Centre.

The duo particularly want to see the Schlumpf Bugatti collection at Mulhouse, drive over the Saint Gothard Pass from Switzerland to Lake Como and visit the Monza F1 Racing Circuit.

Throughout the rally the boys will be taking part in a variety of Top-Gear style challenges along the way, competing for points and prizes.

There will be a number of prizes, including trophies for the best – and worst – dressed teams. The Boys will be raising money for the Blandford Historic Cupolar Project and for Multiple Sclerosis Research.

Bob and Dave have been involved in rallying for over thirty years, having met in the deserts of Qatar when organising an international rally there in 1983. Dave completed the Monte Carlo Rallye Historique in 2002 with Clive Edwards in a Lancia Fulvia with Bob shadowing them in a back-up management car.

Bob, now owns Studio 43, a small gallery and picture framing workshop at Mangerton Mill, is hoping that local small businesses will support their effort and aid them in raising money for their charities; £100 will buy a sticker on the car, or to pledge or make a donation no matter how small (1p per mile = £10 to finish) to Multiple Sclerosis Society go to

www.justgiving.com/bob-monte-carlo-rally or for the Blandford Project go to www.mydonate.bt.com/events/montecarloorbust/208691

Donations will not be used to subsidise their running costs on the event.

The Monte Carlo or Bust Rally takes place between 4th and 7th June and more information can be found on the event website at www.montecarloorbustrally.com