A TRIUMPH Herald, a VW camper van and a Nissan 4x4 pick-up truck were among the vehicles lining up at Dover to cross the Channel to France.

Nothing unusual about that perhaps, except that the drivers were not planning to go by ferry – they wanted to drive across.

The Triumph Herald had been adapted into a sailing boat, a propeller was attached to the camper van, and the Nissan was equipped with a 225-horsepower outboard motor.

The famous TV presenters who came to town on Wednesday were Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard “Hamster” Hammond. The BBC2 Top Gear stars were taking on their latest wacky challenge.

The stunt is a follow-up to the episode in which the three attempted to drive across a reservoir in Staffordshire in modified cars. May and Hammond sank while Clarkson’s car overturned, but, as he pointed out, carried on moving.

James May, who is “sailing” the Triumph, said: “We couldn’t get across a reservoir so we thought the next logical thing would be to try the Channel!

“None of us has any knowledge of sailing – well I have read a Ladybird book about it, Clarkson once had a boating holiday and I’m not sure about Hammond.

“Jeremy is attempting to tackle the Channel by raw power and shouting, whereas I am taking a more considered approach. I have attached a sail, a retractable mast and the Triumph has flotation tanks.

“The only problem with all that is that the car has tended to overheat in slow traffic.”

He added: “We are really looking forward to this and the challenges are as fun as they look on screen.”

Producer Andy Willman added: “The programme appeals to people because it really has that boys’ own spirit, of giving the challenges a go, without any knowledge at all!"

The episode is due to be shown on BBC 2 in the autumn.

FULL COVERAGE IN THIS WEEK'S DOVER MERCURY