FOUR police officers will take part in a police chase of a different kind when they drive through 11 countries in four days in a beaten-up motor.

Switching their blue lights for an old Ford Galaxy, sergeants Rob Brettell and Mark Ammo and PCs Mark Philips and Dan Smith will travel across Europe in this year's Screwball Rally to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society.

The challenge will see them try to drive from Dover through France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and Belgium, covering more than 1,700 miles on Thursday before heading back to the UK, in just four days.

The rally was organised by PC Philips and the charity is close his heart, as he cares for his father Derek Philips, 83, who suffers from the disease.

PC Philips, who is based in Southend and is a traffic officer, said: "My father was diagnosed a year ago with Alzheimer's so I have a vested interest in raising as much money as possible.

"The Alzheimer's Society runs an afternoon club for men, that he goes to. It's in the Royal British Legion, in Westcliff, and they can play pool and darts and it gives them somewhere to go, to get out of their daily routine.

"Itﾒs not a very big thing, about 15 people go, but itﾒs good for him and something for him to look forward to." Mr Philips is in stage four of the seven stages of the disease, and lives with his son and daughter-in-law Michelle to ensure he takes his medication.

PC Philips added: "It can be frustrating. My wife and I have to remember itﾒs not really him speaking, it's the illness.

"It's a horrible illness and there's no known cure. He used to have a fabulous memory, which he hasn't anymore. He's still my dad, but he's not."

ﾓThe race will be fun and a good to do as a team. Me and Rob did it in 2012 and raised money for Little Havens.

ﾓI have heard they are near to finding a cure for Alzheimerﾒs, so any money raised could get them across the final hurdle.ﾔ So far the team has raised about ﾣ2,000. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/markphilips