Army team prepares to row 3000 miles across Atlantic

This report from Derek Johnson

An Army team is preparing to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in aid of the Royal British Legion. The four rowers, two men and two women, will travel from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean.

The boat is just eight and a half metres long and the team will be in shifts of two rowers each, both at the oars for two hour stretches. That's a million and a half oar strokes from start to finish. They have on board navigation systems including the helm to help

The Army physical training instructors are in waters off Thorney Island as they prepare for what's been described as the "world's toughest row".

The team will be rowing as part of a challenge race but also with a view to raising money for the Royal British Legion.

The rowers will need to get used to each other - living close together for several weeks. Laura Barrigan and Victoria Blackburn say they are up for the challenge.

The crew will set off in mid December.