A HAMPSHIRE yachtsman was due to launch his bid to become the first disabled person to sail singlehanded round Great Britain.

Followed by a flotilla of boats carrying friends, family and supporters, Geoff Holt will leave the dockside at Hamble and embark on the 1,600-mile voyage.

Despite being paralysed from the chest down, the 40-year-old from Shedfield aims to sail eight hours a day for around 50 days in his modified 15ft trimaran Freethinker.

He will have to brave strong winds, high seas, dehydration, exposure and severe discomfort to complete the challenge, which is being dubbed "The Everest of all sailing challenges".

Mr Holt, a former director of disabled sailing charity Sailability and extremely experienced sailor, already holds several yachting records, including the record for the fastest circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight by a disabled sailor.

Last month more than 80 people packed Surrey Docks Watersports Centre in Rotherhithe, London, to see Mr Holt officially launch the challenge with the help of HRH the Princess Royal.

Mr Holt is due to leave Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble at 1pm, and the first leg of his trip takes him to Lymington.