Members of the team practise their strokes

The Row for Dough challenge was planned two weeks ago to raise money for youngsters in Holyhead.

But it was called off because of bad weather.

Now the crew are making the most of this week's heat wave to attempt the 110 mile crossing from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire - and back - taking turns behind the oars of their 14ft boat.

The big issue is to raise awareness about the young of Holyhead and the fact that there is very little facilities catering for their needs and their energy Rower Dennis Hadley

The group of six, which includes three local taxi drivers, came up with the idea after seeing youngsters hanging around on the streets of Holyhead.

"As a taxi driver I see young people lingering more and more on street corners," said rower Dennis Hadley.

"The gangs are getting bigger and bigger and people are getting concerned.

"The money we raise is important but it's not the major issue.

"The big issue is to raise awareness about the young of Holyhead and the fact that there is very little facilities catering for their needs and their energy."

The route from Anglesey to Dublin

They plan to complete the round journey in up to 60 hours.

They started their bid shortly after 1800 BST on Monday evening and will return in the early hours of Wednesday.

It is believed to be the first time the route has been attempted in a rowing boat.

"What they will be doing is quite a feat. It's quite easy to get to Ireland, but we have to come back too," says John Owen, who is coordinating the journey.

The route from Ireland to Holyhead has been rowed before but it is said the other way round is more difficult because of notorious currents.

Heat wave

"They are going to try to do both in one go," added Mr Owen

"The forecasters say we will have heat wave weather for the next week.

"That is why we are going this evening so that we row over two nights and one day, rather than have two days hot weather.

"There will be some land breezes but as soon as we are out five or six miles, the sea will be flat," he added.

The men will take turns to row, doing two hours on then four hours off, and following the ferry route between the two port towns.

There will be a yacht sailing nearby providing meals, hot water and beds for the resting rowers.

An RAF speedboat will be on hand to take the team members backwards and forwards between the rowing boat and the yacht.

On reaching Dun Laoghaire, they will greet local dignitaries on the shore before turning the stern straight back towards Anglesey.