TWO pals who rebuilt a classic car were raising cash for charity - by taking bets on how far they would get on a 800 mile journey before it broke down!

Burnley Hospital Radio chairman John Robinson spent the best part of three years re-assembling the 1972 MG Midget with his friend, mechanic Bob Williams.

In 2006, the duo were preparing to set off from Burnley General and trying to get to Inverness in Scotland and back.

And they were asking members of the public to pay a £1 and guess how far the MG would get to help raise money for the hospital radio.

John, of Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, said: “The vehicle has been restored to the fine specimen.

“It had been off the road since 1990 and had been in storage. My wife bought it for me for £350.

“It came in 12 cardboard boxes and was like putting together a massive jigsaw puzzle but now it’s been put together it is quite reliable.

“We’re hoping we will get some distance before anything goes wrong.”

John is pictured with his car and radio mascot Charlie the dinosaur and supporters from the Swan Hotel in Bacup.

Should the Midget complete the trip everyone who entered would be put in a prize draw.