A team of firefighters from Swindon are attempting to row the length of the River Thames - without leaving dry land.

Using four indoor rowing machines, the firefighters will take it in turns to tackle the 215-mile challenge.

The event is part of Swindon 50-4-50, a year long programme planned to raise £50,000 for the Fire Fighters Charity and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Drove Road Fire Station.

Watch manager Clive Hall told the Swinton advertiser the Thames challenge would be the toughest event yet.

"We reckon it will take about six or seven hours to complete, so we're hoping that colleagues from across Swindon will come along and do a stint to help us out," he said.

Indoor rowing burns on average 400 calories an hour, meaning the firefighters will collectively burn a total of at least 2,400 calories during the feat.

Though the team should have no problem completing the challenge - they have firefighter Warren Matthews, who won a gold medal at last year's World Firefighter Games for indoor rowing, to help them out.

Since the beginning of the year £39,000 has already been raised for Swindon 50-4-50 through events.