Four submariners are preparing to row across the Atlantic sponsored by Barrow shipyard owner BAE Systems.

The group made up of Lieutenants Hugo Mitchell-Heggs and Callum Fraser, Petty Officer Dylan Woods and Leading Electrical Technician Matty Harvey are among those taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in December.

They will race more than 3,000 miles, from the Canary Islands to Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua in a boat just 28 feet long.

They are hoping to raise money to provide Mental Health and wellbeing support to fellow servicemen, in collaboration with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

The crew launched the boat they will use - HMS Oardacious - from HMNB Clyde, home of the Royal Navy Submarine Service, for a practise expedition on July 31.

Lieutenant Hugo Mitchell-Heggs said: “We soon began building our confidence in our 'home on the water’ and getting to grips with our equipment and routines.

“We rowed 240 miles, mostly fighting tidal currents and strong winds, initially 2 hours on 2 hours off. We spent the first 2 nights at anchor but then rowed non-stop through the night exploring the Argyll and Bute Loch network.”

In spite of a yellow weather warning the group managed to circumnavigate the Isle of Arran, battled the Irish Sea for a few days, raced a submarine through the Cumbrae gap and even fought their way up the Clyde to Glasgow city centre.