CANOEISTS from all over the world will converge on Devizes Wharf tomorrow for the start of the 54th Devizes to Westminster canoe race, known as the canoeists' Everest.

Among thepaddlers waiting to make the 125-mile trip along the Kennet and Avon Canal to the Thames at Reading and thence to the steps at Westminster, are polar explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and transatlantic canoeist Peter Bray.

Among Wiltshire competitors will be crews from Dauntsey's School in West Lavington.

The squad consists of Emily Prince and Katy Venn, both 16 and from Salisbury; Isabel Cherry, 16, from Salisbury and Matthew Yerbury, 16, from Purton; Tom Schofield, 17, from Laverstock and Sardar Chaudri, 18, from Pakistan; Peter Budge, 17, from Broad Hinton and Richard Hunt, 16, from Saudi Arabia; Sam Dickinson, 16, from Calne and Henry Smith, 16, from Cherhill; Nicola Brown, 16, from Yarnbrook and Laura Abbott, 17, from Warminster; Rebecca Jelley, 17, from Calne and Charles Darwall, 18, from Chippenham.

The eighth boat is being crewed by the school's coach, Adam Alfree-Reid and his wife Fran, who live at Dauntsey's.

Mr Reid said: "Paddling 127 miles over three and a half days is a great achievement and I have no doubt the pupils will rise to the challenge of a lifetime."

Husband and wife team Gareth and Mary Williams, of All Cannings, will also be competing in the gruelling challenge.