A BLACK taxi cab with 400,000 miles on the clock and a £100 price tag might not seem the most reliable form of transport - but a pair of intrepid workmates are relying on it to take them 4,000 miles across the world.
Father-of-two Garry Harding (32), of Peterswood, Harlow, and colleague Dominic Newby have embarked on the mammoth Plymouth to Banjul Challenge.
The pair hope to raise a minimum of £1,000 which they will split between Cancer Research UK and Mandeville School in Sawbridgeworth where Mr Harding's children Phoebe (4) and Owen (8) are pupils.
By the time they complete their expedition - which if all goes to plan will be by next Thursday - they will have travelled through France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal before reaching their final destination in The Gambia.
The route takes in spectacular scenes including the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert.
To take part they had to purchase a left-hand drive vehicle for no more than £100. The taxi cab, which they acquired with the help of mechanic pal Henry Goodger, fitted the bill.
The rules allowed them to spend just £15 on modifying the vehicle which will be auctioned off at the destination.
Mr Harding's parents Christine and Wally, who also live in Peterswood, have been following their son's journey on a specially prepared website which they are updating whenever possible with reports of the pair's progress.
"He's also been able to telephone us from some places," said Mrs Harding (57).
"He called from Morocco and said that everything was fine.
"There don't seem to have been any problems with the taxi yet which is a relief, but they've got plenty of spare parts and Dom knows a bit about mechanics so they should be alright unless anything really major goes wrong."
She added: "When Garry first said he was going to do this I was a bit worried but as it got nearer I could see how committed they were and it became quite exciting.
"Owen and Phoebe are really missing their dad but they're looking forward to all the stories he'll have to tell them when he gets back."
* Anyone wishing to sponsor Garry and Dominic can find out how to do so by logging on to website at
www.keepthemeter
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