A SAILOR on County Durham's adopted ship, HMS Bulwark, is rowing 1,000 miles to raise money for a North-East hospital - without ever leaving the deck.

The ship's Master at Arms, Dave Harris, hopes to break the Guinness World Record for the longest continual row while the ship sails home from Gibraltar to Plymouth later this year.

He will row non-stop on a machine aboard the Bulwark, trying to beat the current 72-hour record set in 2001 by Mick Bird from California.

His efforts could raise at least £2,000 towards a £5,000 sleep monitor for the children's ward at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, which he and his 380 crewmates have supported in the past.

Last year, he bought another machine for the ward after beating the world 10,000 metre rowing machine record, completing it in six hours 55 minutes and 52.9 seconds while the ship was docked on the Tyne.

MAA Harris, a 42-year-old father-of-three from Devonport, is currently training in the blistering heat of the Gulf, where the ship recently hosted a trade delegation from Durham.

He said: "This is a record worth having and this is what is keeping me focused during these tough training sessions.

"Most of the ship's company are understandably counting the days before we head home. I'm counting the days I have to row."

A spokesman for the hospital said: "The crew and officers of HMS Bulwark are great supporters of the children's ward and we are very grateful.

"We all wish Dave every success as he tackles his latest challenge."