AN ATTEMPT is to be made to try to break Sir Richard Branson's record for the fastest Channel crossing by an amphibious vehicle.

Last year, Sir Richard made the crossing from Dover to Calais in one hour 40 minutes and six seconds in his Gibbs Aquada.

Now, Nick Fox is heading to Dover to try to make the crossing even faster in his amphibious rib Sealegs.

This extraordinary utility vehicle was built in New Zealand and is equipped with an inboard engine to drive the rear wheels on land and the latest Evinrude ETEC outboard for its on-water activity.

Sealegs is basically a high quality 5.6 metre Rigid Inflatable boat with three inbuilt wheels which can be retracted in a similar way to those of an aeroplane when the boat takes to the water.

The advantage is that the craft only needs a single person to launch and retrieve and is capable of travelling short distances on land at up to six miles an hour, while achieving a comfortable 35 knots at sea.

The record attempt will take place next week depending on weather conditions. The starting point will be the slipway on Dover seafront from where Sir Richard launched his record-breaking crossing last summer.

Nick said: "We have tested the vehicle extensively and it is extremely reliable and easy to handle. This is a thoroughly sea worthy craft which is designed around a regular RIB.

"The on-land capability has been developed to enable owners to drive up to the boat house or boat park without any outside assistance, while the launch process is seamless from land to water.

"The boats are now available in the UK and we are certain they will become as popular as they are in New Zealand."