A GROUP of taxi drivers are taking the bus — on a huge one-mile pulling power challenge.

The cabbies will haul a four tonne coach along the length of Esplanade in Greenock to raise funds for a cancer charity.

Now they just need someone to give them enough rope — one measuring 80ft — so they can get the go-ahead for the fun event this month.

Organiser Duncan Simpson, 47, said: “The bus is a 75 seat single-decker weighing a good few tonnes.

“Pulling a double decker would have been easier, as they are shorter, and the top half is just fibreglass.

“We’re now in the process of getting a rope long enough for the challenge, meaning we hope to do this later in October.

“It will be great to get support from our families, friends and anyone else who wants to come along to watch — we’ll even get the kids on the front of the bus.” The vehicle has been supplied by local coach firm Pride of the Clyde, and Duncan says Inverclyde Council have provided a flashing light for the top of it.

The taxi drivers came up with the idea after hearing about a similar event.

Duncan, of Rossbank Road in Port Glasgow, took part in a bus pull in the late 90s, to raise money for a charity linked to Spina Bifida.

Members of the Team Viper mixed martial arts club in Greenock will lend a hand this time, adding some much needed muscle to get the coach rolling along the waterfront.

Around 15 men and women will grasp the rope for the heave-ho from the slope at the west side of the Esplanade, and funds raised will go towards Macmillan Cancer Support.

Duncan said: “We’ll turn up on the day and just go for it.

“The handbrake is taken off, it freewheels down the hill and you run like the hammers of hell!”