A Porthleven man is on course to make history as he takes part in an eight-strong crew attempting to break the Mid Atlantic rowing record.

Oliver Waite, whose mum Elodie and stepdad Neville run the Ship Inn on the harbour, is well over halfway through the 2,598 nautical mile challenge from Gran Canaria to Barbados, with the team currently in with a chance of breaking the 32-day record.

Gemma Campbell, of Oceanus Rowing Ltd which organises ocean rowing challenges, said: “It’s going to come down to hours for the record.”

The crew is due to finish on March 14 and Oliver’s family, including his brother Christian who also helps run the pub, will be flying over to welcome him back.

Oliver, who has returned to Porthleven after working in Dubai as a business development manager for a number of years, has been sponsored locally by At Your Pace running shop in Helston and Skinner’s Brewery.

Not having a charity of his own to support, he has asked his family to support fellow rower James Prior from London’s charity supporting Crohn’s disease sufferers.

However, a sweepstake being carried out in all of Porthleven’s pubs, over when the team will finish, is raising money for Porthleven Fishermen’s Association.

Oliver is joined on the adventure by seven other men from different parts of the UK.

So far they have encountered storms and a range of wildlife, including sharks, giant turtles and whales.