PAUL Buckel and Simon Boardman will be hoping to light up the roads of Cumbria and North Lancashire when they contest the Morecambe Illuminations Rally.

Buckel, from Accrington, will have regular mapman Steve Butler alongside in his Proton Satria, while Boardman, also from Accrington, is reunited with regular navigator Ian Rayner is a similar car.

There’s a healthy 35-car entry expected for Saturday night’s event, which comprises 160 miles starting and finishing at the Vale of Lune Rugby Club in Lancaster.

But the real winners will be St John’s Hospice and Slynedales Cancer Care, the nominated charities for the Illuminations.

“Morecambe Car Club wanted to give something back to the area in which we compete,” explained clerk-of-the-course Paul Mount.

“One in three of us are diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime, so it’s important that they are there when needed.”

“The St Johns Hospice and Slynedales Cancer Care provide fantastic assistance to both cancer sufferers and to their families.”

This year’s rally is being backed for the first time by David Ian Skoda of Morecambe, who join regular sponsors Lune Valley Motors.

As a non-spectator event, the only way to see the rally is by acting as a marshal and volunteers should contact Cath Simpson, ring 07798 853765 or 01524 791779, or email: csimpson64@tiscali.co.uk or telephone Maurice Ellison on 07788-723721.