Serving and ex-military personnel will rally for thousands of miles along a historical route to raise funds for a Wiltshire charity supporting wounded soldiers.

This year's Help For Heroes 4x4 European Rally is following the route of the Allied Invasion through Europe in 1944.

It will see 45 vehicles crewed by serving and ex-military personnel, as well as civilians and families, travel from Littlecote House Hotel, in Hungerford to Bavaria, in Germany, between June 16 and 28.

The 2,000-mile challenge, taking participants through six European countries in 12 days, is in aid of Help For Heroes, which supports those who have been wounded in conflict.

The past two events have helped raise £300,000 for the charity and this year organisers are hoping to beat the 2011 total of £160,000.

During the rally, participants will learn about military history, visiting historical areas in Normandy and battlefields of the Somme and Ypres, followed by Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden, Bavaria.

Ralliers can enjoy activities such as off-road driving and club-type social events.

Entry fee for the event is £825 for a vehicle containing two occupants, a charge will be added for additional crew members.

Participants must also pay a £200 deposit fee and provide details of how much they plan to raise for the charity.

Teams taking part in the 2011 event raised an average of £3,300.

For more information visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk.