The first husband and wife team to race at Le Mans yesterday admitted they can't drive down to the shops together without arguing.

Bob Berridge and his wife Amanda Stretton will each drive the equivalent of more than 10 grand prix during the world famous 24-hour race in France.

The Beckley couple will hit speeds of 210mph and suffer G-forces which will make their bodies more than four times heavier while competing in the biggest racing event in the world.

Mr Berridge, 49, who has won several racing titles and competed at Le Mans five times before, said: "We try and avoid talking about it outside of the race team. I can't drive to the shops with her without arguing which way to go.

"But it is not really a husband and wife thing - the reality is it's a professional team. If Amanda didn't cut it in testing she wouldn't be in the car.

"She's determined. She's a good race car driver and she has a professional approach."

The couple, who have two children, are the first known husband and wife to compete together in the 350 plus lap event.

The race, which is in its 85th year, is a gruelling test of endurance, both for the car and for the drivers.

Fewer than half of the 52 cars normally complete the race, but the couple and teammate Gareth Evansname corr, from London, have set their sights on a top 10 finish.

During the race on June 14 and 15, the three drivers will take turns for two-hour stints at the wheel of a £500,000 Lola- chassied racing car.

Mrs Stretton, 34, will also become the first British woman to ever compete in the top LM P1 category of the race. She said: "There are no words to express how excited I am. Le Mans is the biggest race in the world.

"It is nice to think you are doing something that nobody else has done before.

"Bob and I have agreed the best thing to do is we when we get to the circuit the Mr and Mrs is left at home and we are just teammates, otherwise it will be a disaster."

Mrs Stretton, who also works as a television presenter, began racing at 17 and has competed in the British GT Championships and the Anglo-American Stock Car Racing (ASCAR) Mintex Cup.

She has been spending 10 hours each week training in 1,000bhp engine car, which can get from 0-200 and back down again in 1500metres.

The couple have also been practising for the event by playing a custom-made computer simulation of the race course at their Oxfordshire garages.