DAREDEVIL women who have a burning desire to drive a fire engine are being urged to get behind the wheel in Bovington.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service is providing one of its trucks for the Marie Curie Ladies’ Driving Challenge at the army camp on Sunday, September 22.

The tender will be among the array of vehicles on offer for women to put to the test along with double decker buses and steam engines.

Darran Gunter, chief fire officer of Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are delighted to once again be supporting the Marie Curie Ladies Driving Challenge.

“Marie Curie nurses provide an invaluable service to their communities and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service is proud to be able to support them in this small way.

“This event is also the ideal opportunity for us to be able to help educate drivers about the dangers they face on the roads every day and what they should do if they come across an emergency vehicle travelling on blue lights.

“It’s exciting to be able to experience that from the other side.”

The Ladies’ Driving Challenge is £10 to enter and each entrant is asked to raise £100 in sponsorship.

Marie Curie regional events manager, Jon Duckham, said: “It is a real challenge to drive such a wide variety of very different vehicles, but without a doubt, one of the most popular there is always the fire engine.”

He added: “The Ladies’ Driving Challenge has been running for many years to raise money for the Marie Curie Nursing service in Dorset, and we have been very fortunate for the kind support of Dorset Fire and Rescue Service.

“Entrants will be instructed in safe vehicle handling skills as well as tips on good driving but also entrants will be put through a specially designed course that will be fun as well as testing their handling skills.

“The challenge regularly raises £20,000 towards the cost of home nursing care.”

Visit mariecurie.org.uk/ events or call 01884 703536 for more details.