A stepfather and son team has set off on their extreme rally that goes through the Sahara in a Land Rover that has been painted like a Tonka truck.

Together Peter Lambert, 58, and Michael Sawdon, 30, crossed the start line of the 10,000 mile Budapest-Bamako rally in the Hungarian capital.

They will be making their way through Europe and later West Africa to reach Bumbuna Falls in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Michael, from Baldrine, is a chief petty officer and weaponry engineer in the Royal Navy.

He has taken part in similar off-roading events, including the Help for Heroes rally around Europe in 2015 in which his team came fifth out of 45.

Joining him for this event is his stepdad Peter, who runs the ventilation systems company Dri Homes with his wife Debbie.

The trip, which takes place every two years, had been recommended to Michael by a friend. He decided to take on the challenge with Peter.

Michael previously told the Examiner: ’It will be one hell of a bonding session.’

They will be camping during their travels which will take them through the Pyrenees in Spain, down to Morocco, through the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert.

’If we get into trouble, we’ll be recovered, but not the vehicle,’ Michael added.

They hope to cross the finish line on February 16. Follow their Facebook page by searching ’2020 Budapest - Bamako Rally Team Tonka Truckers’.