AN intrepid Morris Minor making its way from one end of the country to the other in the name of a good cause is now over the half way mark – bringing it ever closer to Swindon.

The Morris Minor Owners Club is marking its 40th anniversary by driving a standard specification 1963 Morris Minor 4 door saloon on a snaking route down the UK from John O’Groats to Land’s End – taking in every MMOC branch .

This will include the North Wilts branch in Swindon later this month - as well as a number of additional locations that are significant to the history of the car such as the former Morris works at Cowley, where the car was built, the British Motor Museum at Gaydon and the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

Each branch will provide a driver and co-driver to take the car on to the next stage – as well as a driver to bring them back. Passing through Swindon on September 26, where it will be proudly displayed at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Village, the Minor will arrive from Nuffield Place - Lord Nuffield (William Morris) being the founder of Morris Garages. From there it will travel on to Gloucester Quays, being driven by local drivers Ash Holmes and Steve Chater.

On Thursday the Minor arrived at Cowley before being whisked off to the Daytona Karting track in Milton Keynes where it was handed over to the Buckinghamshire branch.

The charitable classic enthusiasts are raising money for Marie Curie along the way and are calling on residents to give the Minor a warm welcome when it arrives in Swindon on September 26.

Meanwhile, the charity is also hoping to appeal to residents’ nostalgic side. They are urging families to host a ‘Dinner Down Memory Lane’, and instead of asking guests to bring a bottle or a dessert, ask for a donation for the charity instead.

Natalie Taylor – Marie Curie supporter said: “We had a fantastic time at our Dinner Down Memory Lane last year with friends and family, it really was a night to remember. I cooked up an old family recipe and we had a wonderful evening looking through old photos and taking new ones.”

To sign up visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/dinner. To follow the Minor’s progress visit: www.facebook.com/MMOC.Charity.Marathon.2016.