FIVE drivers who work for BP Castrol in Swindon are getting ready to navigate some of France's hidden routes with their car boots packed with red wines and champagne.

And when they reach home on Friday November 19 their cargo will be sold in aid of Prospect Hospice and the Mayor of Swindon's charity, the Family Contact Centre.

The event, which will start at midnight on November 17, will coincide with the release of this season's new Beaujolais wine.

"But this isn't a race," stressed Castrol project manager Ted Green who is organising the Swindon competitors.

Ted, Ralph Morgan, Chris Stratford, Grant Warnby and Ian Kennedy from Swindon will compete against crews from Tring, Hemel Hempstead and Camberley.

Jenny Evans and Hazel Parr who are on Prospect's staff will go with them as non-drivers.

"It's a navigational and driving challenge, said Ted, who knows France well and reckons he can locate byways which are so seldom used that grass and twigs brush the bottom of cars.

"The idea is to find the shortest distance between the two points. There is one stretch of Roman road, for instance, that doesn't even appear on maps.

"You could go at the speed your granny would drive at and still win."

He said the object of the challenge was all about having fun, as well of course as raising money for worthy causes. But there is a strict no drinking rule until it is over. "And the emphasis is on road safety."

Castrol and other commercial companies are sponsoring the crews, and Castrol will give a donation to the winning team, which will be passed on to its chosen charity.

The crews will drive vehicles lent by motor dealers.

Castrol crews from Swindon who took part in last year's Castrol Beaujolais Champagne Challenge raised more than £8,000 for Prospect.