A SCOTTISH father of four is nearing the end of a gruelling attempt to break the world record for rowing across the Atlantic Ocean.

James Prior, 48, is part of a crew bidding to row from Gran Canaria in Spain to Barbados faster than the current record of 32 days.

The team set out last month and are now 26 days into the voyage, with the record still in their grasp.

Mr Prior, a novice rower who grew up in Drymen, Stirlingshire, put himself forward for the crossing to raise money patient charity Crohn's and Colitis UK.

His son Fergus, nine, has acute Crohn's disease, a chronic condition that can cause ulceration along the entire digestive tract, which can cause excruciating pain.

Scotland captain Darren Fletcher is a well-known sufferer of colitis and has done much to raise the profile of the condition.

However, while the Manchester United midfielder has made a full recovery, Mr Prior's son has to eat a special diet through a gastric tube,when his condition flares up.

Shortly before leaving, Mr Prior said: "Fergus deals with his condition incredibly well, despite getting frustrated, he takes his pain on and never complains.

"He's a fighter and I'm taking on the Atlantic Challenge to highlight the daily challenges faced by people with Crohn's and Colitis.

David Barker, the Crohn's and Colitis UK Chief Executive said: "We are immensely grateful to James, his wife Fiona and all their four boys who are determined to boost funding to help find a cure for Crohn's by supporting Crohn's and Colitis UK research projects."