A couple will take part in the final of one of the world’s toughest driving competitions.

Mark Ratcliffe, 50, and his partner Nikki Finch, 47, will be one of 14 teams navigating 1,000 miles of the Sahara Desert’s sand dunes and the Atlas Mountains in the chase for the Conti 4x4 Trophy.

During the race, run by Continental Tyres, Mark and co-driver Nikki, who live in Cross Hills, Keighley, will cross breath-taking but dangerous scenery and sand dunes, navigating rocky gorges and fording rivers.

The six-day trip to Morocco is at the beginning of next month and will see the two fly to Casablanca before travelling on to Ouarzazate, nicknamed ‘the door to the desert’ and where films such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Living Daylights, The Mummy and Gladiator were filmed.

They will navigate the difficult terrain during the day and be pampered at night in a selection of luxury hotels, and also have a true Bedouin experience with one night camping under the stars.

Mark and Nikki came top in the competition, run over 12 weeks, and were one of 28 pairs of drivers invited to a qualifying event at a Land Rover test track in June.

They had to demonstrate their off-road driving ability and a range of other skills, and after impressing the judges were one of the 14 teams selected for the African trek.

Mark, who runs a brand development company with Nikki, says: “We really can’t wait to start the challenge. We’re looking forward to getting to know the other competitors, seeing Morocco and creating some fantastic memories.”

Nikki said: “We’re looking forward to the whole adventure and being a part of the Conti4x4trophy.This is my second trip to Morocco as a competition winner as I was in the winning team on the TV program The Crystal Maze, back in the 90s.”

Peter Robb, spokesman for Continental Tyres, said: “This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime driving experience. We’re really looking forward to Mark and Nikki being part of an amazing adventure.”