A TRIO of madcap motorists drove 4,247 miles for charity in a clapped-out Austin Montego car.

And today the three told of how they had returned from the trip with a new outlook on life after witnessing extreme poverty in some of the world's poorest places.

Jon Dent, from Elswick Gardens, Mellor, raised £3,500 after travelling across eight countries with two school friends in the 15-year-old car.

Over 19 days they passed through France, Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, the Sahara desert, Mauritania and Senegal before finishing in Gambia.

In Mauritania particularly, Jon and Jim Rogers, of Northcliffe, Great Harwood, and Carl Holden, of Hollowhead Avenue, Wilpshire, saw extreme poverty.

Jon, a quality technician, said: "It was a real culture shock. It is supposed to be the third poorest place in the world.

"The poverty was unbelievable. We stayed in one big shanty town and people there will fight for rubbish.

"We filled a bin bag of rubbish and were trying to find a place to put it when someone took it off us and riffled through it looking for things.

"In this country we have nothing to complain about. It is not perfect here but most of us have a home to live in and the welfare state to look after you.

"I have a new outlook on life and I am a lot more humble."

The three friends, who went to St Augustine's RC High School, Billington, together, were competing with 150 other cars in the second annual Plymouth to Dakar Challenge.

Money raised is donated to Pilgrimage Trust, the handicapped children's charity, and Cancer Research UK.

All competitors must buy a car for less than £100 and spend only a few pounds preparing it for the journey.

Jon, Jim and Carl, all 24, bought the F-reg Montego estate with 71,000 miles on the clock from a local scrapyard for £45.

Remarkably the car, on the road for up to 18 hours a day, completed its trek over the rough terrain without any problems.

Only two vehicles - one an old ice cream van - failed to complete the challenge.

The three friends took it in turns at the wheel, each driving until a full tank of petrol ran out.

But the challenge was not a race, as the cars drove in groups with one acting as the guide.

At night the competitors camped out in tents.

Last week, they reached Gambia, in West Africa, and spent two days in a hotel enjoying the 33 degree Celsius temperature before flying back to a cold and rainy Manchester.

Jon added: "It is awful to be back! It was like an escape from normal society for three weeks.

" I am already planning the next one next year."

The Montego, and all the vehicles taking part, were auctioned off in Gambia as even old cars are sought after there, raising £17,000 for a Gambian charity.