And they’re off, on four wheels and a wing and a prayer, heading for Scotland.

Supporters turned out at Canford Park Arena to vote for their favourite customised banger and cheer on the drivers as the Air and A Prayer Rally got underway.

A Le Mans style racing start saw the 31 drivers race to their cars for a dramatic getaway on their adventurous 470-mile drive to the banks of Loch Lomond.

This two-day rally with a difference was the brainchild of Baron and Sarah-Louise Cole, along with Dominic Oxley and Lorna-Jayne Hoyland.

They persuaded local businessmen to leave their air-conditioned limos at home and invest in a car at the end of its life for less than £300, to make its last journey in the fundraiser for Julia’s House children’s hospice.

Community fundraising manager for the hospice Lin Hudswel said: “Raising this kind of money is exceptional for us,” said Lin.

“It looks like it’s going to be around £36,000.”