Marylebone traveller held up at knife-point in Africa

Local men demanded ten times the 'normal' amount money to allow the men to make a detour.

When the pair refused to pay the price, suddenly their truck was surrounded by people trying to get their money.

Writing in their online diary, Mr Beswick and Mr Curtis said: "Suddenly a hand came through the window and held up a large knife.

"Calming the owner, we handed over the money which only temporarily placated the crowd.

"Only the intervention of a local truck driver helped us out of the predicament.

"We were shaken up but we also knew we would have to pass back this way on the return journey."

Just days later they did return and were greeted by the same men, this time with machetes.

They said: "In desperation we threw a handful of notes out of the window and in the confused scrambling managed to drive off.

"We were very shaken, but this was an isolated incident and not a reflection of the people we have met."

The men started travelling on a 48,000km round trip across Africa to build shelters at HIV clinics across the country on March 14.

They have been keeping an online diary of their progress and have so far made it to Congo, despite their truck sinking into sand in Senegal and having to avoid a swarm of bees in Burkina Faso.

They are working together with One to One Children's Fund, which helps young people with HIV in Africa, and have so far completed one shelter.

Mr Beswick, an architect, plans to put his skills to good use by designing the shelters and community areas and helping to build them.

To support the pair, see www.justgiving.com/ontheedge or follow their progress at www.ontheedgeofafrica.com