A HAMPSHIRE powerboat racing team was on standby today to challenge the world record for the powered circumnavigation of mainland Britain.

Skipper Ian Sanderson, 37, from Lymington, and triple world offshore racing champion Peter Dredge, 39, from Warsash, both pictured left, are waiting for suitable weather conditions in which to attempt to smash the existing record of 42 hours, 54 minutes.

The pair will undertake the KSI Round Britain Challenge in their Sunseeker XS2000 production cruiser.

They aim to circle the country within 40 hours, with fuel stops planned in Northern Ireland, Aberdeenshire and Suffolk.

Their route, which starts and ends at Sunseeker International's boatyard in Poole, covers the 1,600 nautical miles that comprise the most direct route round mainland Britain, including an inshore passage of the Western Isles to escape the fury of the North Atlantic.

Mr Dredge said: "Round Britain is a big, tough test of navigation, boat handling and strength of character, especially as we will have to endure two nights on passage.

"There are very special problems associated with running quickly in the dark and staying alert for up to 40 hours which we hope is the longest time that it will take us."