An Exeter sailor will row solo across the two largest oceans on earth to raise money for charity.

Dave Brooks has set himself a 13,000-mile challenge to raise funds for Guide Dogs, the RNLI and Sidmouth Lifeboat, setting off from the UK early next year and rowing solo and unsupported across the Atlantic and Pacific to Australia via Tahiti.

Mr Brooks, who has won backing from Panasonic Stores, is currently putting the finishing touches to his 24ft rowing boat, Team Panasonic.

The 24-year-old from Dartmoor took up kayaking at an early age and has since trained people as a kayak coach and spent six months in New Zealand white water kayaking the South Island and in Norway.

Since taking up long distance kayaking Mr Brooks has taken part in five Exe Descent races, winning three in a row at under 21 level and coming fourth in the men's event.

He said the charity challenge would be the longest anyone had ever rowed in a single expedition.

"It will also be the first time that anyone has ever rowed both oceans in the same crossing," he added.