Two of the county’s most prominent women faced an “oarsome” challenge when they swapped officialdom for the ocean in aid of charity this week.

As part of her Active Eight Charity Challenge, in which she has pledged to try eight new sports during her year as High Sheriff of Cornwall, Jane Hartley persuaded Chief Executive of Cornwall Council Kate Kennally to take up her oars too.

Truro River Rowing Club invited the two VIPs - more usually seen in the news wearing more formal attire - to join them in their weekly club session from Loe Beach at Feock.

Mrs Hartley said: "Gig rowing is at the heart of the Cornish way of life, so I was determined to make it a part of my challenge this year. Persuading Kate was the easy part - it's actually harder than it looks!"

Mrs Hartley, who lives at Holywell Bay, has set herself the challenge to raise awareness for her mental health fund, which encourages young people with mental health conditions to take part in sport and outdoor activities.

She hopes to raise £50,000 and has offered to match fund every donation made.

As well as the gig rowing Mrs Harley will also be having a go at commando abseiling (descending from a cliff head first), underwater hockey and BMX biking. Already ticked off the list are wheelchair tennis, fencing and a biathlon.

To follow Mrs Hartley on her sporting adventures visit her Facebook page ‘High Sheriff of Cornwall Active Eight Challenge.’

People can also give their support through sponsoring her at justgiving.com/fundraising/JaneHartley-Highsheriff-of-Cornwall