Rust 2 Rome, a budget rally for cars that cost no more than £250, will leave from central Edinburgh on June 1, bound for the Colosseum in Rome.

Already about 10 cars and 20 people have joined the rally — almost twice last year's numbers — and entries have not yet closed.

Marko in a Ford Granada and two friends in a second car completed the inaugural Rust 2 Rome run in 2006, then expanded the event the following year.

Marko said the 2008 rally would include the first female participants and be filmed by a camera crew for a documentary.

Midlife crises and recent break-ups are among the reasons applicants have given for joining the 3000 mile trip.

Rust 2 Rome has also signed up with Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) and 10 per cent of the sponsorship money raised will go to the charity, which supports children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

Last year's rally teams took six days to reach their destination, with the only major mechanical problems being experienced by Marko's own car, a 1989 BMW 525.

"Call me crazy, but I would have been disappointed if I hadn't had a problem with the car," he said at the time.

For more information, or to apply online, log on to www.rust2rome.com