Car turned into fire engine for 1,500 mile rally

Johnny Smith and wife Julia have set off for their five-day drive across Europe

A fire service worker is embarking on a 1,500 mile (2,400 km) trip across Europe in a £600 car converted to look like a mini fire engine.

Johnny Smith, a fire safety manager at County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS), is heading to Romania in a convertible Ford Ka for the Two Ball Bangers Rally, which he is entering for charity.

The 57-year-old, who is travelling across France, Germany, Austria, Budapest and Romania with wife Julia, said he hoped to win the best dressed car competition.

The couple, from Lanchester, County Durham, said they were "huge Top Gear and Formula One fans" and that the rally would involve tasks along the way.

However, they do not know what they will be until they reach Saint Quentin in France for the official start of the event.

Cars entered into the rally must cost less than £700 and the couple used six cans of spray paint and their creative flair to decorate theirs, which they called Denise.

The couple named their car Denise and used spray paint to make it look like a mini fire engine

Mr Smith, who sets off with his wife on Tuesday for the five-day trip, said: "We have really enjoyed doing up the car and it has been great to see people walking past the house and taking photos of it when they see it parked outside."

The longest journey the car had done previously was between Lanchester and Newcastle - about 14 miles (22.5 km).

The couple plan to scrap the 19-year-old car once they reach their destination because they do not trust it to make it back to the UK.

"I will be so disappointed to leave her behind because she has been an absolute joy to drive around - you can park her anywhere, she's absolutely fabulous," said Mrs Smith, 47.

The couple are hoping to raise £1,500 for The Fire Fighters Charity and Mortgage Advice Bureau from the challenge.

"The rally is a great opportunity to give something back to charity," Mr Smith added.