GREAT BRITAIN'S double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell is today hoping to set a new world record for crossing the English Channel - on a surf board.

The 33-year-old rower left Folkestone for Calais just after 8am using a 16ft paddleboard - a cross between a surfboard and a kayak.

Mr Cracknell, 33, from Woking in Surrey, is attempting to smash the world record of six hours, 52 minutes, set nine years ago. He is being accompanied in his quest by surf coach Pete Craske, from Cornwall.

It was Mr Craske who laid down the challenge to the famous rower. The pair aim to raise £60,000 for two charities.