BRIDPORT Bandits were the heroes of the Wrecks to Czech "race" when they took their battered two-litre Vauxhall Cavalier 2,500 miles across Europe to Prague and won.

Bandit secretary Martin Singer, who was in the car with son Ben, Jack Ward and Ryan Bennett said they had a fantastic time, and the icing on the cake was winning.

He said: "It is not a race as it takes place on public roads but it is about getting to the check points each day, having done various challenges you get points for along the route.

"We took the same car last year and came 10th out of 100 which we thought was pretty good, but this time we won. We did think we were doing well."

The various challenges ranged from getting photographs showing snippets of places and being able to identify them to taking photos of as many Trabants as possible one day and American cars the next, or Belgian numberplates, sometimes while dressed as Superman.

"I did discover that traffic does stop if you walk out into the road and hold your hand up while dressed as Superman!

"We did arrange bed and breakfast along the way but you can imagine four red-blooded males in a car trying to agree where we should be going, and none of us trust sat navs.

"But it was tremendous fun and the roads are so spectacular, especially the Stelvio pass between Italy and Austria - the road that Top Gear dubbed the best road in the world."

Although the Bandits were able to get the car through its MoT after last year's race, drive it on the gruelling journey and back, it did break down in West Dorset.

"But rest assured the Bandits will get it going again," said Mr Singer.

They managed to raise £900 for the Bandits.

Another Bridport team also covered themselves in glory and also took a Vauxhall Cavalier on the run and raised £400 each for the Dorset Somerset Air Ambulance and Cancer Research.

That team consisted of Steve Baggs, Adrian Kinchen, founder and chairman of the Bandits, and Thomas Butler.

Their car was donated after being driven through floodwater but the team, most of whom have been Bandits, got it going again. They might not have won but the team came a respectable fourth - without the luxury of staying in bed and breakfast accommodation.

Mr Baggs said: "It was all good fun even though we were basically living in the car for four days!"

After the race the team had to be back for work and were in the car driving from Prague to Bridport for 19 hours.

"Nine businesses supported us and considering the tough times we are having it is nice knowing small businesses have helped us do this. And we want to thank Lanehouse Vauxhall for their support and the use of their workshops to let us prepare the vehicles, particularly Peter Avery and Heath Thresher."