PEUGEOT 205 challengers Chris Reid and Phil Peak are getting their title bid back on track - thanks to the generosity of fellow competitors.

A massive accident on last month's Panaround Stages wrecked their car, and looked to have done the same to the hopes of winning Britain's biggest one-make rally championship.

But Peak, who lives in Oswaldtwistle, and his Aberdeen-based driver have been buoyed by generous offers of help to rebuild the Bill Gwynne Rally School-backed machine.

And the project is well on schedule, as Peak explained: "There's light at the end of the tunnel.

"Chris has been working round-the-clock for two weeks to get the car ready for this weekend's Mid-Wales Stages."

"He's had to do most of the work himself as we don't have the budget to pay someone to do it, but getting your hands dirty is part of the enjoyment."

Notable support has come from north west rally driver and businessman John Cope, who has donated a set of professional safety harnesses worth £600.

"I'm pleased to be able to help Chris and Phil after their huge accident and it also gives me the opportunity to be able to put something back into the sport," explained Cope, who runs Cope Engineering in Radcliffe, near Bury.

The pair are seeded at car 14 for the Newtown-based gravel rally, with three other East Lancashire crews contesting the 205 Challenge, which runs as part of the main event.

Ian Winstanley, from Colne, teams up with his navigator from last year, Neil Bye, at car 26, just ahead of Challenge front-runner Ben Calvert, from Longridge, and Jon Marsh.

Ribchester rallyman Dan Boardman and co-driver Alex Levick are also out in the University of Central Lancashire-backed 205.