FOUR Caerleon men are aiming to compete in the world’s “premier rowing event”, tackling a 3,000 mile voyage across the Atlantic for charity.

Joel Wood, John Evan Morgan, Monty Williams and Hugo Thompson want to compete in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2017 - but have no prior rowing experience between them.

Competing under the name 'Oarstruck', the crew are seeking sponsors to raise the staggering €100,000 necessary to enter.

The race attracts competitors from across the world, with team sizes ranging from solo rowers to teams of four.

The cost - equivalent to around £76,000 - will cover their 20-foot boat, shipping, training, courses, food, flights, accommodation, a trailer, boat equipment and the entrance fee.

Described as "the challenge of a lifetime" Mr Wood, 25, said: "It's a new challenge for all of us, and one we can't wait to start.

"We've been talking about doing something like this for the last couple of years.

"And we started to get things started two months ago, so we've really go the ball rolling."

The former Caerleon Comprehensive School pupils, who said they had been friends since Year 7, are also aiming to raise a further £50,000 for Diabetes UK after Mr Thompson discovered he had type 1 diabetes last year.

A nutritionist will accompany the team on their journey to ensure he can participate fully in the row, which will start in Spain, in December next year, and finish in Antigua.

It typically takes around 50 days on average.

Mr Thompson, also 25, said: "I have chosen to join the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge for a few reasons: to test my mind and body, to prove that Type 1 diabetes won’t hold me back, and to give myself another story to tell on my death bead."

For more information on Oarstruck, and donate, visit http://oarstruck.com/