A RETIRED detective chief inspector and his son-in-law from Newton Abbot, are embarking on a hair-raising challenge.

Mike Howard, who celebrates his 72nd birthday tomorrow, and 44-year-old Simon Smith, a maintenance manager at the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, Newton Abbot, are to board their home-made raft and 'sail it' for around ten miles along the River Teign.

The daredevil pair, neither of whom have any rafting experience, are undertaking the Teign Valley Raft Challenge to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society and the Rainbow Trust which supports families of terminally ill children.