Dame Ellen is backing Plymouth to host a successful Transat

Dame Ellen MacArthur says she is looking forward to Plymouth hosting the start of the Transat race in May.

The city's Sutton Harbour will be the focus for the crews and up to 100,000 spectators for the start of the race between Plymouth and Boston.

"When you sail on a solo transatlantic race you want to get out in the ocean and Plymouth is close to that which makes it a superb location," she said.

It is the oldest and one of the most prestigious trans-Atlantic races.

Interview: Dame Ellen MacArthur

It has always started from Plymouth but the city feared losing the race after a low key start to it four years ago.

Les Sables d'Olonne in France attracted 100,000 spectators to the start of the 2004 Vendee Globe race few people went to the low-key start of the 2004 Transat.

This year Plymouth's Barbican will host a race village which it is hopped will entice thousands of people to the city.

Sailor Alex Bennett is Devon's hope for Transat success

Devon sailor Alex Bennett will be racing in the Class 40 fleet in his yacht Fujifilm.

"This is an epic of an event and it's something I've been looking forward to for a great many years," he told BBC Spotlight.

"I remember as a child reading up about this event and always wanting to do it.

The race will start from Sutton Harbour on 11 May.