Paddle power plan for school cash

The 30-mile paddle is expected to take about 10 hours

A father is attempting to complete one of the longest continuous paddles in UK waters to raise cash for his daughter's school in Devon.

Surfer Paul Hatton will paddle from Plymouth to the Eddystone Lighthouse and back to Bantham on a paddleboard.

The 39-year-old from Thurlestone will be joined by Liam Krige and Stefan Little on the 30 mile (48km) trip.

The trio hope to raise £5,000 to refurbish Pearson pre-school in Thurlestone.

"We rely totally on fundraising activities to keep going and with a 38-year-old building, Pearson needs an awful lot of upkeep," Mr Hatton told BBC News.

I've roped in the younger guys in case I conk out Paul Hatton

Mr Hatton said his daughter Niamh, who will be three next month, was excited about the challenge.

"She keeps telling everyone 'daddy's paddling for my school', so I've got to do it."

The Eddystone paddleboard challenge is planned for Thursday, with the three men setting off from Wembury beach at about 0830 BST and hoping to arrive back at Bantham beach about 10 hours later.

The paddleboards differ significantly from surfboards. They are about 17ft 6in (5.3m) long and are specially designed to keep the body out of the water.

Bananas and chocolate

Mr Hatton, who has previously paddled 22 miles (35km) across the English Channel, said the aim of the group is to beat the previous record of 28.5 miles (46km).

"Stefan is 21 and Liam is about 27, so I've roped in the younger guys in case I conk out," he told BBC News.

"It's not a race and safety is paramount, so it's about the pace and making sure we stay hydrated and have regular food.

"I've been told bananas should get us over the first hurdle and chocolate should get us over the next."

Two safety boats will be on hand to follow the trio's progress.