THREE celebreties have given a cancer charity a helping hand after completing their race licences at a North-East circuit.

Miss Great Britain Rachel Tennant, along with actors Jeremy Edwards and Gary Lucy completed their national B race licence at the Croft circuit, near Darlington, to allow them to take part in the Uniroyal Fun Cup series for Cancer Research UK.

The team took part in a four-hour race for Fun Cup series' final season race at Oulton Park, near Chester, on Saturday.

The series is designed to give drivers the maximum amount of time in the car.

During a four-hour race, teams of at least two take turns in driving and there are several mandatory pit stops to allow for refueling and driver changeover.

All cars are the same and have the engine of a race car with a fibreglass body which looks like a WV Beetle.

As well as the UK, there are series in Belgium, Spain, Germany and Holland.

Cancer Research UK was chosen because several people involved with the series have lost relatives to cancer.

Organiser and grid girl Roxie Marandi said: "We are hoping to raise lots of money. This is the first time we have done an event for charity."

Jeremy Edwards told The Northern Echo he was excited but a little nervous.

"I'm doing it for two reasons - firstly, it's for charity, but to be honest, who doesn't like the idea of getting their racing licence and taking part in a race?

"I don't imagine we'll come first," he said.

"I'm going to look so slow compared to everyone else, but I'd rather look slow and get round in one piece."