A NAUTICAL Northwich woman is preparing to set sail later this year to complete a personal mission in a landmark boat race around the British Isles.

Sue Bryant, aged 53, will be taking to the high seas in the next few months to compete in the Round Britain Challenge, a two- week long, 1,800-mile non-stop yacht race.

It has never been done without stopping before and the target time is another potential record-breaker.

But for Sue, the race has been a great focus for life following the death of her husband John in September last year.

She said: "I read about it in a national newspaper last year and thought I would go for it. When my husband died I suddenly found myself alone for the first time in my life, wondering what I was going to do with myself.

"Then I found the application form and sent it off."

She added: "It's all about people wanting a challenge. I'm really looking forward to it. It's something I've always wanted to do. It's focusing my mind and keeping me busy because there's a lot of preparation.

"It's been a marvellous help in getting over something that's been a very difficult time. My friends and family have been very supportive. It's the first time I've been alone in my entire life and it's quite a shock. It's been a great help."

Preparations for the race, which starts at Easter, have come in the form of two training phases, the first of which saw crew members go down to Southampton and sail around the Isle of Wight.

The second training phase takes place in March.

Each boat's crew includes 16 volunteers and two professionals and eight boats will be competing in the race, which is in honour of 25th anniversary of when Sir Chay Blyth and Rob James first won the challenge.

jsawyer@guardiangrp.co.uk