FEARLESS ladies who took to the wheel of everything from fire engines to tractors raised more than £18,000 for a cancer charity.

The success of the 2006 Ladies Driving Challenge at Throckmorton Airfield, Pershore, on Sunday, means Marie Curie Cancer Care can provide 900 hours of nursing care.

A spokeswoman for the cancer charity said: "The ladies all had a great day, and many are already organising their teams for next year's event.

"A big thank you also goes to all our volunteers who gave up their Sunday to come along and lend a hand - without their help the day could not have happened, so thank you. It is difficult to know which vehicle the ladies enjoyed driving most, as each offered something new and different to the last. Whether it was the speed and burning rubber of the Honda, the excitement of the blue flashing lights of the ambulance or maybe even the sheer size of the HGVs, each vehicle was a great challenge for the drivers.

"To say one afforded more pleasure than the rest would be impossible - if you're curious you may just have to come along next year and have a go."

Marie Curie nurses give patients with cancer the chance to die at home, in comfortable and familiar surroundings.

The charity believes in supporting this choice to die at home and the driving challenge and other events enable it to offer this to more people in Worcestershire. For information on next year's challenge, or on any forthcoming events, call Alexis on 0117 9427132, or e-mail alexis.bayley@mariecurie.org.uk