Just 100 miles from the finish line of a charity rally, David Lambert suffered car trouble and ended up crossing the finishing line rather late and in a taxi.

That has not put him off however and the civil servant from Gillingham is once again taking part in the Monte Carlo or Bust Banger Rally. Participants have to travel 1,000 miles across six European countries, in three days, in a vehicle that has cost them less than £300.

David and his wife Jayne will be travelling to Belgium on June 2 for the start of the race the next day. They will be driving through Luxemburg into Germany, before heading south into Switzerland, across the Alps, and into Italy, and then into France.

Mr Lambert, of Darland Avenue, has customised a 15-year-old Ford Puma after buying it from a garage in Lordswood.

The 56-year-old said: “It was advertised for £600. When I rang the guy up, I asked him what his best price was and he asked me what sort of price I was thinking of. When I told him £300, you could hear him almost choke on his coffee but when I told him what it was for, he kindly agreed.”

The car has since been customised with a James Bond theme complete with water pistols to aim at fellow rally racers.

Mr Lambert’s son James, 24, was originally due to take part with him but due to work commitments, has had to hand the role of co-driver over to his mum. The couple, who have been married 31 years, will have to complete various challenges along the way.

Mr Lambert said: “We don’t know what they will be. Last year it was things like getting a Starbucks cup with Sir Cuthbert written on it.”

Mr Lambert and his son took part in Monte Carlo or Bust last year but David ended up on his own when James had to fly back to the UK for a job interview.

Then, just 100 miles from the finish line, his car suffered water pump failure.

Mr Lambert ended up finishing the race in a taxi.

He said: “I’m hoping to make it to the finish line in the car we start out in this time. We are raising money for the Kent Air Ambulance because it is a good cause everyone can relate to.”

Sponsor the Lamberts at www.justgiving.com/MCOB2016/