A DARWEN landlady will be trying to get free flights and train tickets during the next two weeks in a bid to distance herself from the town.

But Steph Perry, of The Alexandra Hotel, will not be gone for long -- it is all just part of a charity challenge to raise money for the East Lancashire Hospice.

Steph, 38, will be competing against three of her customers -- Dave Brown, 41, Jake Bull, 18, and Katie Johnson, 22 -- who will all be given £10 to get as far away from Darwen as possible.

They will each set off from the pub, in Hindle Street, when the bell rings for last orders at 11pm on Friday, November 25, and will have to beg and borrow in a bid to get a lift in a car or tickets for a train or aeroplane.

The four are being sponsored and the person who travels the furthest distance from Darwen by noon the following day will win.

They are hoping to hear from local people with contacts in transport who might be able to help them in their endeavours.

Steph, who came up with the idea, said: "We are going to have to beg, blag and plead with people to give us lifts or tickets.

"Dave is hoping to get abroad by lorry and I'm planning to get abroad by plane if I can get a ticket.

"I'd love to get to Darwin in Australia but unfortunately I don't have enough time.

"I've already got more than £400 in sponsorship and although the challenge is good fun our main aim is to try to raise as much as possible for the hospice which does a lot of good work.

"Hopefully we will all be able to get quite far because we have two weeks to try to plan our challenge and get people to donate things to us.

"So if anyone has a spare helicopter or aeroplane I can travel in, please get in touch to let me know!"

The competitors will also be given £10 each for food but will have to hand over any other cash or cash cards before they set off.

Anyone who wants to sponsor one of the challengers or offer transport help should contact Steph on 01254 706325.