IT'S a 12-year-old Lada, it's covered in rust and is due to embark on a 3,700-mile journey.

A pair of Southampton motor enthusiasts are hoping to travel from Plymouth all the way to The Gambia in Africa in this H-reg Lada Niva Cossak, which they rescued from a friend's front garden.

Sam Smith and Ian Oakley, from Harefield, are taking part in a quirky car rally where the only rules are - don't spend more than £100 on a vehicle and don't spend more than £15 doing it up.

When they first went to see the Lada, it had grass and thistles growing up through the floor and a flat tyre or two.

But the men, who both work for ADS car parts warehouse in Marine Parade, Southampton, coaxed it into life - and now hope it can last the epic journey.

Sam, 29, said: "We're a pair of lunatics to want to do this. But motor sports are quite expensive and this seemed cheap, so it's a way of

taking part without forking out loads of money. It's also all for charity."

They leave on Boxing Day with 120 teams from all over the world. The assorted clapped-out trucks, cars and bikes will travel down in convoy through Spain, Morocco, Marrakech, into the desert, to Dakar in Senegal and finally into The Gambia.

Ian, 33, and Sam will be camping by the side of the road as they go and dining on tinned food and heated-up meals.

Sam added: "From a blokey point of view this is just the most righteous road trip going. We're joining up with a team called Desert Prats and we will just be sprinting down to Gibraltar. The last stretch is driving along a massive 70-mile beach, which should be fantastic."

At the end of it they'll wheel into the Gambian national stadium - hopefully greeted by an army of cheering locals, added Sam.

There, everyone who took part in the rally will sell their vehicles at a local auction. It gives Africans a rare chance to pick up a cheap car, and all the money raised goes towards local charities.

But the question remains, will they make it?

"All the vehicles are a bit dilapidated," said Sam. "We will be travelling in convoy so if anyone breaks down, hopefully other people will stop to help."

To sponsor the driving duo, visit the event website at: www.plymouth-dakar.co.uk or phone Sam on 07759 321 110.