Brett Mankee, 29, from Beach Road in Hartford, is teaming up with fellow Pc Yanto Evans to take part in the DW race.

The 126 mile long event gets its name from its start and finish points, Devizes in Wiltshire and Westminster - in the heart of London.

"The actual record is 15 hours and 37 minutes," said Brett. "But we certainly don't expect to beat that."

The pair will try and beat the time of 27 hours set by Brett's father - a veteran of five DW races, the longest endurance race for canoers in the country.

And to help them follow in the paddle strokes of Brett's dad, the duo have been training hard.

"We don't get much time to train together," said Brett, who is also a Thai boxer.

"The most frightening aspect is that we won't get the chance to find out what it's like to canoe over a 24 hour period until the race."

And to help them get used to paddling in the dark, the pair have been practising at night on Tatton Mere as part of a rigorous training routine which started four months ago.

Brett, who is based at Wilmslow's police station, and Yanto, who works in Knutsford, are raising money for police charity Child Victims of Crime.

Before the race at Easter they are trying to get as many sponsors as possible - and hope to raise £10,000.

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