A Molesey rower is hoping to smash a world record as he joins five friends in rowing across the Atlantic.

Mike Martin, 23, and the rest of the team will depart from the Canary Islands on December 2 in their specially built, high-tech ocean rowing boat the Oyster Shack Ocean Challenge.

The team will be hoping to beat the current crossing record of 35 days set back in 1992 by a French team.

During the record attempt there will be three men rowing at any one time and three trying to get some rest.

The boat will be stocked with all of their provisions for the duration of the crossing because they will not be allowed the slightest help during the record attempt.

Mike, a triathlon consultant, said that he wanted a "new challenge to test his mind, body and spirit to the limit" and that "a world record attempt seemed ideal to fulfil his burning ambition".