A GRANDFATHER from Preston is preparing to sail the high seas as he trains for the 2003 Round Britain Challenge yacht race.

Russ Howarth, 57, of Higher Walton Road, Walton-le-Dale, will be learning the ropes on two training courses before setting sail from Southampton in April.

On board the 72ft yacht, self-employed businessman Russ, will sail with 16 crew members, a professional skipper and mate.

The seafaring team will compete against seven other ships in the 1,800 mile race, around the British Isles, and spend four hours on and four hours off, sleeping when they can.

Russ, a grandfather-of-two, got a taste for sea air after his wife, Margaret, bought him a boat trip present. He said: "It was quite something. I was given a chance to spend time on a sailing boat on the Dieppe run, last August, from Southampton.

"The only problem was my physical state, I was overweight and falling to pieces!"

But his French experience certainly put the wind in his sails and Russ is now a regular at the gym where he works hard to get in shape for the forthcoming race which will take a fortnight to complete, in all weather conditions. He finished his first training run last month, sailing across the English Channel. He said: "It was great, but every bone in my body ached after that."

The Round Britain Challenge event is to celebrate the 25th anniversary of legendary yachtsman Sir Chay Blyth, who won the last Challenge race a quarter-of-a-century ago.

Russ put up the £4,000 entry fee from his own pocket and will be raising cash for local charities, including Help the Aged and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. To sponsor him, call Barbara Harris on 715564.