Two veterans, dubbed the 'Grandfathers of the Atlantic', are aiming to break a world record by becoming the oldest duo ever to row across the great ocean - raising funds for a Kent charity in the process.

Former paratroopers Neil Young and Peter Ketley, who will have a combined age of 123 at the time of their 3,000-mile nautical challenge next December, will spend 50 days at sea despite having no previous rowing experience.

The friends of 40 years, whose service spans tours of Northern Ireland and the Falklands, will row for 24 hours a day in two-hour shifts from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, to Antigua in the Caribbean, and are aiming to raise £250,000 for worthy causes, including military charity Royal British Legion Industries, based in Aylesford.

RBLI is home to a number of war veterans, many of them with injuries and disabilities, and provides them with support they need as well as a route back into sustainable employment.

However, the pair only came up with the idea last summer, so preparations are on something of an accelerated schedule.

Mr Ketley said: "Time is not on our side. Most people spend two to three years training for this, we got together in July and need to do it for December this year. There's been a hell of a lot that we've had to do during that time.

"It was just a challenge we thought sounded like a good adventure, and a challenge has to be something that's a little out of your comfort zone, and this certainly is, so we're looking forward to it.

"We've had a tremendous response from people but we still need more."

WATCH: Grandads plan record-breaking trip

Mr Young added: "The RBLI is a charity for veterans, and being ex-military, that's important to us. We've met people here that have various injuries and disabilities and it's great to see not only the support they get in terms of training and welfare support but training in employment as well.

"It's tremendous to see them working again and enjoying it, and they love the teamwork, it's brilliant."

To donate, visit tinyurl.com/y97ogkxb.