Three retired tractor fanatics - including two from the south west - are planning a world record attempt to circumnavigate the globe in their vintage vehicles.

Terry Williams, a former farm worker from Bruton in Somerset, said the trio are hoping to travel through five continents and 34 countries in a Tractor Global Quest.

Retired lorry driver John Smith, 66, of Farnham in Dorset, retired farmer Chris Frampton, 60, of Worksop in Nottinghamshire, and Mr Williams, 48, plan to set off from Yeovil's Abbey Hill Steam Rally in May 2005.

Mr Williams said: 'No one has travelled round the world in a tractor before, let alone in a vintage one.

'We think it will be a great way to celebrate the vehicle's centenary, which is this year. It is going to be an amazing journey but we know it will be tough.'

He added that the trio hope to travel 100 miles a day and estimated that the journey will take them two years to complete.

Mr Williams added: 'We will not be racing as we need to maintain a nice steady pace. There will be a lot of off-road driving on dirt tracks as tarmac roads are few and far between in some parts of Russia, China and India.'

Mr Williams drove his rescued Harry Ferguson 1953 TEF20 tractor, Betsy, 3,176 miles round the coast of Britain in a successful Guinness world record bid last year.

Mr Smith will set off in his Australian-built 1964 Chamberlain Super 90, and Mr Frampton is rebuilding a 1964 Fordson Dexter for next year's challenge.

The journey is estimated to cost £60,000, which the drivers hope to raise through sponsorship. Any additional money they raise will go to their chosen charities.

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