WOMEN from St Helens have gone wild for the chance to drive a fire engine, police car, an HGV and many other unusual vehicles.

After an article appeared in the St Helens Star last month, Marie Curie Cancer Care were inundated with calls from local ladies looking to take part in the charity's annual Ladies Driving Challenge.

According to Stephen Tongue, the charity's representative for St Helens, "the phone just didn't stop ringing. The paper was kind enough to print my mobile number as well as my office number and the calls just kept on coming. All weekend and all through the next week! I'm delighted with the response to this event and this is great news for the charity. The more people who take part, the more money we will raise and the more nursing hours we can provide."

Stephen is now appealing for support from local businesses. The event has been so successful that the charity has a reserve list that is some 150 ladies strong.

There are more than 20 ladies from St Helens on this list and Stephen is really upset that inevitably some of these will be disappointed.

The only way more people will be able to take part is if Stephen can find more vehicle providers.

In particular Stephen is desperate to find more plant and farm vehicles, more coaches and buses, and he is looking for volunteers to help out on the day.

Anyone who can help or would like to know a little bit more can contact Stephen day or night on 07798 638 127 or at the office on 0161 255 2805.