IT'S a case of Monte Carlo or Bust for students at South Essex College, who are transforming a car into an icon for a charity rally.

Level 2 Vehicle Body and Paint Operations students at the college’s Basildon Campus are turning a Volkswagen Passat into the famous red and white Starksy and Hutch car.

A team from Southend charity Harp, nicknamed Bodsky and Hutch, is taking part in the Monte Carlo or Bust charity rally, and asked the students to give the car an overhaul.

The rally sees teams attempt to drive from Belgium to the jewel in the Mediterranean coast’s crown – Monte Carlo – in a car costing less than £300.

The team will be tackling the 775 mile so-called Black Forest Gateau route, which begins at Namur in Belgium and will take them through Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France before reaching Monaco.

The trio will complete challenges along the route to help raise funds for Harp, which helps and supports the homeless.

The students are currently repairing and rubbing down the body work of the car ready for the new coat of red and white paint.

The challenge begins on Thursday, June 2 when Harp’s Mitch Hutchens, along with his son Ben and family friend Malcolm Bodley, will embark on the epic three-day journey through some of the continent’s most challenging and exciting roads.

Mr Hutchens said: “We’re keen to involve the local community as much as possible, and are delighted that students from South Essex College have offered to kick-start our fundraising efforts by spraying the car in an eye-catching style to fit in with our Starsky and Hutch theme.

“Community involvement is at the heart of everything Harp does in our efforts to end rough sleeping in Southend. Monte Carlo or Bust offers a great opportunity to do your bit towards helping our vital work supporting some of the town’s most vulnerable people.”

The students’ tutor, Clive Langworthy, said the project was an excellent opportunity for the students to put in to practice what they have learnt over the year.

He said: “We are really excited to be involved with this project and support a wonderful charity.

“This will provide the students with a real life working project where they will be able to put all of the skills they have learnt to the test."

You can sponsor the team from Harp at justgiving.com/bodskyandhutch