An extreme sports enthusiast from Pembrokeshire will attempt to become the first person to kite surf across the Irish Sea next month.

Kirsty Jones, from Marloes, hopes to make the crossing in the week beginning 2 September - depending on the wind and sea crossings.

Kirsty Jones hopes to reach Pembrokeshire in under five hours

The kite surfer - who last year won the first British championships in the sport - aims to complete the crossing from Rosslare in the Irish Republic to Broad Haven beach in between three and five hours.

She will get back-up support from a boat and crew supplied by Dale Sea Safari, which is normally used to ferry visitors out to the islands off the Pembrokeshire coast.

Once she has completed the challenge, Ms Jones is looking forward to setting up her own business helping others learn the skills of kite surfing.

"Like any extreme sport, there's an element of danger involved," she said.

"But learning to practice responsibly and learning other skills is fantastic fun."

The sport - which originated in France in the 1990s - demands special training.

Charity

A massive kite is used instead of a windsurfing sail to generate the power needed to surf and jump over the waves.

The board is similar to a wake or surfboard and can reach speeds in excess of 30mph.

The kite is attached to the surfer by a harness at the end of a 30 metre line and is controlled by a bar similar to a water-ski handle.

Kite-surfers can jump as high as 40 feet in the air when taking part.

Kirsty Jones's record-breaking attempt is also being used to raise money for charity.

She has already collected �1000 for the children's hospice Ty Hafan based in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Once the record attempt is completed she plans setting up her own business providing training courses for new recruits to the sport.

The venture is being backed by the Pembrokeshire Business Initiative.