EIGHT Beer residents have embarked on a month long African trip which will see them travel through a minefield and the blistering heat of the Sahara. Darren, Julia, Brian and Jenny Clinch, alongside Chas, Patricia, Kate and Owen Adkin, left the Dolphin pu

EIGHT Beer residents have embarked on a month long African trip which will see them travel through a minefield and the blistering heat of the Sahara.

Darren, Julia, Brian and Jenny Clinch, alongside Chas, Patricia, Kate and Owen Adkin, left the Dolphin pub on Sunday for their African adventure.

Accompanying them on the trip are Chris Davies, of Seaton and Marcus Hardwick and Stephen of Ottery.

Most of the group took part in the Plymouth to Banjul Challenge two years ago for charity and their itchy feet were beckoning them to take part in another trip.

Darren, 42, landlord of the Dolphin, said last week: "I can't wait for it now-it's taken around eight months to plan."

The group, loaded into three vehicles, will travel through France and Spain before arriving in Africa where there sub-continent journey begins.

Driving through Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal the eleven voyagers will end their journey in the Gambia- and it will not be plain sailing.

"The worst part will probably be driving through Western Sahara to the Mauritania border because that's where the mine field is. It sounds dangerous but the roads are well marked and we will stick to the track-that will probably be the most nerve-wracking part," said Darren.

The group will also be driving for 100 miles through a beach road-and it will be a race against the clock.

He added: "We've got to wait for the tide to go out and then drive across the hard sand before the tide comes in. Hopefully we will pick up a local guide who will know the exact tide times!"

Boxes of children's toys and clothes are packed away in the cars to give out to African children.

Darren said: "We are all pretty well loaded. We thought it would be really nice to do that because most of the children have never seen cuddly toys, action figures or a model car. Anything you give them is like giving them the earth. It will be lovely to see their faces light up."

Darren thanked Beer Church for all of their donations as well as residents who contributed gifts for the children.