SEVEN military men will retrace an epic English Civil War journey that saw a 14,000-strong army march through the heart of East Lancashire.

Dressed in Royalist uniforms and on horseback, they will follow the route taken by Prince Rupert in 1644 when he led a relief force of infantry and cavalry across the Pennines.

More than 360 years after the historical trek from Liverpool to York, the seven riders will pass through the Ribble Valley, taking in Osbaldeston, Clitheroe and Gisburn.

Led by Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, they will follow the prince's route to Marston Moor, leaving on Sunday, July 24, to arriving in the Yorkshire city on Friday, July 29.

All funds raised by the riders will go to the Army Benevolent Fund, which provides financial and practical support for soldiers, ex-servicemen and their families in their times of need.

Among the riders will also be Prof Richard Holmes, a renowned military historian famous for TV documentaries War Walks and In the Footsteps of Churchill.

He will give three lectures enroute at Altcar, Preston and Harrogate.

Sir Webb-Carter, also chief executive of the Army Benevolent Fund, said: "I've been friends with Richard for many years and we have been on many riding campaigns abroad together.

"I thought it would be fun to do an English campaign to raise money and asked Richards for advice about an interesting route. So, we came up with this Prince Rupert escapade.

"It's all going rippingly well. We've already raised £22,500 before the venture even starts and that shows the level of enthusiasm about it.

"It seems to have captured people's imaginations."

Kevin Hegarty, a spokesman for the Army, added: "This journey by Prince Rupert is quite a famous ride that culminated in the biggest battle of the English Civil War.

"As far as possible the riders will be sticking to the original route.

"Throughout the Ribble Valley they will be stopping off at various villages and avoiding the main roads wherever it is possible."

l The original journey ended in the Battle of Marston Moor, near York, where the Prince's men were defeated by Oliver Cromwell's Roundheads.

l The Prince Rupert Ride, led by Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, pictured right, will retrace the journey made by the prince and his relief force of 14,000 infantry and cavalrymen, on their way to confront a Parliamentarian Army besieging the Royalist garrison in York.

l With the breaking of the siege, the two armies met at dusk on Marston Moor on July 2, 1644.

l The Royalists, under Prince Rupert, were taken by surprise, losing the battle and consequently handing control of the entire North East of England to the Parliamentarians.