Clinton Rogers: "Last time Richard Branson went from here, his balloon went without him"

The Cable and Wireless team, led by world endurance record holder, Briton Andy Elson, is putting its equipment through its final paces.

Team members have locked themselves into their craft's gondola for a full 24 hours - to make sure it is fit for the flight.

They want to test the balloon's life support systems.

Co-pilot of the West Country team, Colin Prescot, said: "We want to check everything out and make sure everything is as it should be. It's better they work now properly, rather than find out they don't at 30,000 feet."

The lock-in will test life support systems

For the last eight months, the team has been preparing for its round-the-world attempt, locked away inside a tiny workshop on a Somerset industrial estate.

Yet those in the know believe this could be the serious challenge to Richard Branson. The team is quietly confident.

Mr Prescot added: "We've trained to the hilt for what we think is every eventuality, and all we need now is a bit of luck."

In the coming weeks no less than six balloon teams are expected to attempt the non-stop circumnavigation of the globe.

Richard Branson's ICO team are already at their launch site in Marrakech.

During the Virgin boss's last lift-off from the site, the balloon went without him.

His new team has had a test flight and they are ready for the off any day now.

ICO team is ready in Marrakech

Reserve pilot Dave Jackson said: "We shook down all the systems and everything worked perfectly.

"It's the first time we have had the opportunity to test the stuff live in a flight. It was brilliant."

The six teams in the race will all be assembling at their various launch sites around the world in the next few weeks.

Weather conditions will dictate exactly when they lift off.

The West Country team will be heading for Spain this weekend.