A professional polo player from Bratton is preparing for the world’s toughest rowing competition, when he will join three friends for the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

James Glasson, who was born in Trowbridge and grew up in Bratton, will be competing against 19 teams from around the world in the 3,000-mile race from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua.

The 40-year-old, who previously sailed across the Atlantic in 2011, is part of the Atlantic Polo Team with fellow polo players Bobby Melville, Henry Brett and Fergus Scholes.

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, renowned for its tough conditions, starts on Monday, December 2 and will take about six weeks to complete.

Mr Glasson, who is now based in Sussex, said: “It’s going to be hard, but we have set ourselves a target of trying to do it in 45 days.

“Four of us living on a seven-by-two metre boat will be a challenge, but we are all quite laid back, so the main worries will be the 40ft waves, sleep deprivation and coping with the food situation.”

Competitors are expected to burn about 8,000 calories a day and lose in the region of 20 per cent of their body weight over the duration of the race.

The team, which left for La Gomera on Sunday for a sea trial, aims to raise more than £100,000 for the Brooke, Right To Play and Hilton in the Community Foundation.

For more details, and to donate, log on to www.atlanticpoloteam.com.