Ms Wharry expects to reach her destination 10 hours after launch

Former Gladiators champion Andreya Wharry, 34, set out from Watergate Bay, near Newquay, on the 135-mile crossing to County Waterford in Ireland.

With a fair wind, Ms Wharry expects to arrive at the Rosslare Peninsula in south-east Ireland about 10 hours after launch.

Ms Wharry already holds the women's kite surf record.

'Very hopeful'

Last May she completed the 70-mile passage from the Isles of Scilly to Watergate Bay.

A small crowd of supporters turned up at the beach to wave her off on Saturday morning.

Forecasters have predicted a south-easterly wind blowing at between 15 and 20 knots in the Irish Sea.

Ms Wharry, a top-10 ranked professional kite surfer from Newquay, said Saturday offered the best "weather window" to attempt the challenge.

Before setting off, she said: "It will be a really nasty launch from the beach here at Watergate Bay.

"But once I'm away from the beach I'm very hopeful that I'll be able to make good progress through the morning.

"I just want to get out there and do it now, I can't wait to get started.