THE managing director of a Burnley paint firm will swop emulsion for wind propulsion when he competes in a trans-world yacht race in the autumn.

Dexter Paints boss Neil Eatough, 54, will be a crew member on a yacht in the BT global challenge, a nine-month, round-the-world competition which is known as the world's toughest yacht race.

Neil, who has been sailing for about 10 years, will be on board the Commercial Union Assurance boat which sets off, with 14 identical yachts, from Southampton in September.

Competitors will sail 30,000 miles against prevailing winds, and will call at Rio de Janeiro, New Zealand, Sydney, Cape Town and Boston before returning to Britain in June 1997.

Neil, who is hard at work this week practising his sailing skills, told the Citizen: "I'm looking forward to it, but with some trepidation. It's certainly won't be a few jolly days out in the sun!

"Common sense says that the BT global challenge will be very tough. It will, however, also be a remarkable experience and the fulfilment of a lifetime ambition. I can't wait until September."

For Neil and the vast majority of crew members, the race will be the biggest challenge of their lives. Team work and determination are essential for success.

"I sail quite a lot, but this is definitely the most difficult event I have taken part in," said Neil. "You can't get much more difficult than the BT global challenge."

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