Intrepid Shropshire rower braced for attempt to cross the Atlantic in 31 days

Along with a team of seven others, 47-year-old Mr Harpin, from Shrewsbury, is taking to the water over the next few days as the crew attempts the 3,000 miles between Gran Canaria and Barbados in just 31 days.

But they will be up against another team, with both hoping to smash the current world record of 32 days.

Both crews are making the finishing touches to the boats this week in Gran Canaria before setting off on Sunday.

Mr Harpin said: "I'm gripped, I'm so excited now I can't wait to get going.

"We've been out in the boat today to make sure it all works and we've spent a few days building and fixing different parts. We are a week behind schedule really, as we hoped to set off on November 1.

"But now we just can't wait to start."

But father-of-four Mr Harpin, who set up Shropshire Adventure Rowing Club, has another reason for taking part in the challenge. He's raising money for the Bickerstaff Endoscopy Unit at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital after it saved his trainer's life.

The unit diagnosed Jim Mostyn's bowel cancer in its early stages during a screening two years ago, prompting him to have an operation and survive the cancer.

Mr Harpin said: "If it hadn't been for the people and that unit Jim wouldn't be here today so I thought it was quite fitting to raise some money for them while taking on the challenge, as he's been training me."

He added: "I'm looking forward to Barbados. But I'm dreading the sea-sickness, we aren't looking forward to that."

The eight-strong team on the Toby Wallace also includes Simon Chalk, of Loggerheads, who has rowed the Atlantic six times.

Rowing against Mr Harpin will be the Oystershack Crew, which includes 49-year-old Christophe Legeais, of Shrewsbury.

The teams can be tracked on organiser Oceanus Rowing's website www.oceanusrowing.co.uk/atlantic-ocean-rowing To donate to the Bickerstaff Endoscopy Unit at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital visit www.justgiving.com/Stephen-Harpin