THREE local Taffs and a Paddy took part in the adventure of their lives earlier this year when they competed in the 'Barcelona Banger' race.

Friends Wayne Shanklin, aged 27, from Cosheston, Matthew Palmer, aged 27, also from Cosheston, and brother Jonathan Palmer, aged 25, from Pembroke, were joined on the journey by 33-year-old Ross John, who also used to live in Cosheston, but has now moved to Winchester.

Together, the four-man team undertook a three-day journey in a vehicle worth no more than £250, having to travel from Pembroke to Calais and on through Northern France to Tours. The last leg of the journey was on to Toulouse over the Pyrenees via Andorra to the finish point in Barcelona.

Object of the race was to raise as much money as possible for charity and have the trip of a lifetime. They achieved both, raising a fantastic sum of £1,400 for the Alzheimer's Society in Pembrokeshire.

They couldn't have done this without the support and help of many friends and family, and a special mention must go to Mr. John Dooner, Talbot Timber, W. P. Lewis and John Davies - Babco.