Officers' epic Skoda journey

The Skoda was built before the fall of Communism in Europe

A pair of Birmingham police officers are starting out on an attempt to drive 3,500 miles in a 14-year-old Skoda bought for just £40.

Cary Copus and Louise Cockbill set off on their epic two-week journey across Europe on Tuesday.

The drive, which is in aid of a children's hospice, begins in London, with the Netherlands the first port of call on mainland Europe and Norway the last.

The couple plan to visit as many as 20 countries in total including Hungary, Slovakia and the home of the Skoda - the Czech Republic.

Fewer visas

The intrepid twosome are being waved off from the Foreign Office in London by Baroness Symons and the Ambassador for the Czech Republic, His Excellency Stefan Fule.

Mr Copus said: "EU accession and the euro has definitely made a big difference by reducing the number of visas I've had to obtain and less currencies to convert."

The 38-year-old added: "I'm most looking forward to just waking up every morning in a different country."

All the money raised by the pair will go to the Acorns Children's Hospice, which is based in the West Midlands.