A jet navigator at RAF Marham is gearing up to row across the Atlantic Ocean in world record time whilst wearing next to nothing.

Alex Stewart, 28, and friend Phil Russell, 29, will be competing in the Woodvale Atlantic Ocean Race 2011 predominantly naked to raise funds for Help for Heroes.

Attempting to set a new world record of 38 days, the pair will depart from the Canary Islands and battle 40 foot waves on a daily basis to reach Barbados this December.

The friends will be rowing unaided and without support and will be away from their friends and families over Christmas and New Year.

Yet, the determined rowers are not lacking in confidence and are relishing the prospect of pitting their wits against nature at it's most raw.

Mr Stewart said: 'This is the world's toughest rowing race over a sparse expanse of water with many hostile factors, including horrific weather and sharks.

'It will be an enormous physiological and psychological challenge in our 23 foot boat.'

Fellow rower Phil, a financial analyst, added: 'While we are not underestimating the feat of the task at hand, we are truly looking forward to challenging ourselves over 3,000 ocean miles. We will also be able to help soldiers that have given so much to us without even knowing their own sacrifice.'

The pair have been best friends their entire lives but have both said this epic challenge will stretch their friendship to its limits.

To 'warm up' for the marathon effort they will cycle the length of Great Britain in April and are hoping to raise �100,000 for Help for Heroes.

The charity was founded in October 2007 to help the wounded servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq and provides direct, practical support to those injured in the current conflicts.

Mr Stewart added: 'My job involves protecting and supporting soldiers and its something I'm looking to continue, via this exceptional charity, when I'm back in the UK.'