Five schoolboys are hoping to become the youngest British crew ever to row across the English Channel.

They are due to set out this morning and expect to reach France in less than five hours.

Christian Hosie, Nick Evry and Alex Keeling, all aged 15, from Somerset, and brothers Myles, 16, and Toby Reid, 14, from Chester, are due to launch from Shakespeare Beach at Dover between 8 and 9am.

Christian already holds the title of the youngest Briton to kayak across the Channel. He completed the journey solo in 2009 aged just 13.

“It seems a long time ago since I made the crossing for the first time, and I can’t wait to get back on the water," he said.

“It will be a little different this time because of the dynamics of a team, which offers new challenges as well as the possibility to help one another.”

The team, who have been friends since childhood, began their preparations more than 12 months ago.

They will use a 22ft-long Celtic Longboat, and will sit in a line using one oar each.

If all goes to plan, the team hope to raise £10,000 for Help for Heroes.

The current youngest team to row the Channel were all in their late teens when they made the crossing in 2005.