A trio of Copeland fundraisers won a 1,200-mile European car rally that featured quirky Top Gear-style challenges.

Joy Hetherington, Katie Bartley and Kerry-Beth Quinn are the first all female team to win the Two Ball Banger rally, which spanned nine countries in four days.

And they have raised around £4,000 for Lily's Voice Appeal - in aid of Copeland youngster Lily Tyson.

Cash is being raised to buy an eye-gaze communication device for Lily who suffers from Rett Syndrome.

The trio, from Whitehaven and Egremont, said it was "amazing" to take part in such an action-packed trip and raise cash for such a worthy cause.

Challenges were set for the teams each day. The trio said their's included a scavenger hunt, fitting 16 people into their car and picking up an Amish hitchhiking craftsman!

On the first day they drove from St Omer, in France, to Belgium, Luxembourg onto Germany. The following day they travelled to Austria, via the Black Forest, which had "breath taking scenery", they said.

The trio drove to Switzerland over the Stelvio Pass into Italy. "That was a huge challenge," they said as they drove Ainsley more than 9,000 feet above sea level.

They then travelled to Monaco and finally Nice, in France.

The women said: "The rally was amazing. It was really well organised. People from all over the UK took part. There was only one other all girls team."

"It was amazing, definitely one of the best experiences we have had."

The trio said they were pleased their car, they affectionately named Ainsley, triumphed in the challenge.

"Nobody though Ainsley would get out of England!" they joked.

On winning the rally the women were awarded a piston trophy. They have since made the 29-hour journey back home to Cumbria.