Mike Humber and Travis Spencer hope to set off on Tuesday

Mike Humber and Travis Spencer, both of Broadstairs, Kent, could set off on Thursday after being delayed by the weather on Monday and Tuesday.

The crossing from St Margaret's Bay to Cape Gris Nez was expected to take five to seven hours, Mr Humber said.

He said they would be accompanied by a safety boat, but would be attempting a non-stop crossing. The bid is to raise money for two charities.

Funds raised will go to Cancer Research UK and the Arthritis Research Campaign.

Currents are slightly different out there Mike Humber

Mr Humber said they had hoped to set off on Monday but the weather was "not bad but not quite ideal".

He said: "We think the wind is probably going to drop off completely by Wednesday, so we thought we would wait for the best conditions possible."

'Achievable distance'

And he said the pair had been kayaking for a few years and had gradually increased the length of their journeys before deciding last year that they wanted to cross the Channel.

"We've been training over the winter and know we can do that sort of distance," he said.