OLD friends Frank Elson and Stephen Dear are gearing up for a challenge that will test the power of the pedal against the paddle.

Frank, who is 58 and a former harbourmaster at Minehead, is planning to paddle from the town down the coast to Ilfracombe.

And he has challenged Stephen, who is a little older and a former town councillor and care home owner, to complete the same journey by road.

While Frank will be travelling in a 12ft canoe he has recently bought for the trip, Stephen will in his 1927 vintage Wolseley - but will have the handicap of a later starting time.

A £50 wager will be waiting for the first past the post but the winner will be a charity particularly close to Frank's heart.

Last July his great nephew Dane Elson died in a roadside bomb explosion while serving with the Welsh Guards in Afghanistan.

He was just 22 and his death shattered a close-knit family.

Frank's mission now is to raise money for Help the Heroes, a charity set up to help servicemen and women wounded in Britain's current conflicts.

He will be embarking on his paddling challenge on March 27 - the same day that his brother Stuart - Dane's grandfather - will be sky diving from a plane in Wales, accompanied by his daughter-in-law, to raise funds for the same cause.

Frank and Stephen are looking for sponsorship for their challenge and, in particular, would welcome a local company on board.

"I'm hoping to raise at least £1,000," said Frank. "The £50 bet is a no-win situation for Stephen - if I get to Ilfracombe first he has to pay me the prize and if he gets there first he still has to hand over the money.

"But all the cash, including the bet money, will go to the charity."

Frank, who has completed a number of coastal trips by canoe in the past, is confident that with a fair wind he can complete the 29-mile journey in record time.

He will have back-up from Minehead butcher Albert Hartgen, who will be following him in his fishing boat Orca.

Stephen, meanwhile, has pledged that he won't be breaking any speed limits.

"The old Wolseley cannot go much over 60 mph - even with a following wind," he said.

"However, we are both hoping to reach Ilfracombe on the same day.

"Naturally we are both seeking all the sponsorship we can."

Anyone or any local business willing to get behind the old friends' efforts can contact Frank on 01643 863494 or at Talland, Bossington, TA24 8HQ.

l Ready to go - Stephen (left) and Frank (right) with support team member Guy Dewdney.

Photo: Steve Guscott