Intro:

Italian driver Paolo Andreucci leads after opening stages of Rally Sanremo on Friday.

Script:

The Rally Sanremo got underway on Friday - ten stages around the north-western Italian town of Sanremo - comprising the eleventh round of the European Rally Championships.

Paolo Andreucci - and co driver Anna Andreussi - held the lead after the first three special stages.

The Italian guiding his Peugeot 207 to a narrow advantage with his compatriots Umberto Scandola and Giandomenico Basso chasing hard behind.

Irish driver Craig Breen began as number one seed - but was forced out after stage four after suffering suspension damage.

France's Bryan Bouffier set the pace in the early stages of the race, but was pushed down to fourth after suffering damage to the right corner of his Peugeot after striking a metal barrier.