A team of rowers braving the waves to smash a world record have begun their voyage.

David Hosking, 55, is leading the crew that launched their attempt to row the Atlantic last week.

Before the departure on Thursday evening he said: "Leaving around 9pm during high water is crucial. We will be pulled away from Tenerife as the water level drops.

"It is a fractional advantage, but every gain is vital if we want to cross the ocean in thirty days."

The Wimbledon resident and five other rowers are attempting the blue ribbon southern Atlantic route.

The current world record for the crossing between the Canary Islands and Barbados is 33 days - but Mr Hosking, a former Royal Navy Commander who has rowed across the ocean before, thinks he can complete it in less than a month.

The crew’s start date might be pushed into next year if weather conditions delay the challenge.

The Wilton Crescent resident, a teacher at Charterhouse public school and AFC Wimbledon fan, said: "The team, which is made up of top level rowers in their own right, has been training very, very hard for more than six months for this opportunity because it is going to be really tough.

"There are dangers but we are really well prepared and have a fantastic boat. As long as the weather is in our favour we are confident we’ll have a real shot at the record."

A spokesman for the crew said they would each burn up to 10,000 calories a day during the challenge, and curious whales or rough seas could threaten to capsize the boat.

The team will split into two shifts rowing for two hours each during the challenge, which aims to raise £100,000 for soldiers’ mental health charity Combat Stress.