THIS Sunday's Hills Ford 3 Shires Stages will be a battle royale in the Herefordshire and border lanes.

Trying to predict a winner from such a high quality entry is extremely difficult, with 12 demanding tests within the counties making up over 60 miles of competition. 

Melvyn Evans will be one of the favourites dueinf rare outing in one of his all-conquering VW Polo R5s with Mark Glennister calling the notes.

There is a host of local crews on the entry list as Geoff Phelps will have Colin Jenkins alongside in the Hartpury Farms Escort RS1800.

Roger Matthews and Tom Marrott will be in the RJ Matthews Transport 2.5 Escort. The quick Mini of Ryan Taylor will be targeting honours as will David Kynasto in his TR7 V8.

Event sponsor Tim Hill will have veteran co-driver Paul Spooner alongside him in the Hills Ford Fiesta R3.

His brother Richard Hill and Rich Crozier will be in the older Fiesta R200.

The rally gets underway with the popular ceremonial start in Ledbury on Saturday afternoon from 4pm.

Sunday’s event has a spectator area with lots of parking and excellent viewing area off junction two of the M50 or the A417. Entry to the spectator area is £10 per car.