HE is the Upper Clatford delivery driver preparing to swap the roads of Andover for the testing terrains of Mongolia.

Iain Dykes will begin an epic 10,000 mile journey from England to East Asia this month, when he and two former school friends take on unique charity challenge; the Mongol Rally.

Travelling in a Volkswagen Polo, bought for just £450, Iain and his team will make their way across Europe before going off-road in the 18-year-old car on the dirt tracks of Central Asia.

The Mongol Indepedent Trading Co team, which also consists of Winchester-based Jamie Smith and London-based Elliot Mellish, will begin their journey at Goodwood Motor Circuit in Chichester on Friday, July 16.

The group expect to reach the finish line in Ulan Ude, Russia, in early September.

Iain, a delivery driver for Ocado, said: “Around 300 teams compete every year, but I think around 70 per cent actually complete the race.

“I expect we will be fine driving through Europe, where the roads are paved, but once we you get beyond Iran there are a lot of dirt paths and a car like ours isn’t built for that.

“We expect we’ll have problems with it along the way, like punctured tyres, but that is all part of the race. It’s not a party, it’s a challenge.”

The team have elected for a route which will take them across central Europe and down towards Turkey.

They will then travel across northern Iran before heading into the central Asia states, including Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

They then hope to cross into Mongolia before arriving at Ulan Ude, 45 days after they began their journey.

As well as preparing for the rally, the group have also been fundraising for charity.

So far, they have raised £1,500, to be split between the Lotus Children’s Centre in Mongolia and Naomi House and Jacksplace.

To find out more, visit: mongolindependenttradingco.wordpress.com.