A LANCASTER team is planning to take part in a unique motor racing event.

Instead of trying to clock up the fastest time, the team, from Cockerham based Evergreen Engineering will see how far they get on one gallon of fuel.

Backed by Heysham power stations and Lancaster University's engineering department, the car takes to the track at Rockingham, Northamptonshire.

It will take on teams with multi-million pound backing from companies such as Honda and Mazda.

Last year, the Evergreen engineering team managed a remarkable 1,384 miles with a petrol engine -- a total they hope to beat with a new gas engine.

The competition will also have a commercial spin off foe Evergreen engineering. Partner Paul Andrews says the company plans to produce gas powered engines for normally petrol fuelled garden equipment, including lawn mowers and strimmers.

Paul said: "The emissions from the engine are very low compared to petrol or diesel.

"The gas can also be stored in canisters and slotted onto the engines easily rather than have the spillage of cans, which again makes it more eco-friendly."