TWO firefighters will be spending an unexpected Christmas at home in Swansea — before jumping into a boat and rowing across the Atlantic.

Mike Arnold and Simon Evans have been training all year to row 3,000 miles from the Canary Islands to Antigua, as part of the Woodvale Road Rowing Race.

They were due to launch at the beginning of December, after an emotional farewell to their families, who they will not see for almost two months.

But challenge organisers have delayed the race start due to adverse weather conditions, and rowers will not now set off until Tuesday.

The delay means the pair have received an unplanned Christmas surprise — the chance to spend Christmas with their wives and children. Mike, a watch manager based at Pontardawe, said: "We were all ready to leave but the start kept getting put back.

''In the end it was decided to set a date at the end of December.

"It was frustrating because we were all ready to go, but the bonus is we get to spend Christmas at home.

"The whole thing is going to keep us away from home for about nine weeks, so at least we can enjoy the holiday first.''

Mike, who lives in Pennard, now gets to spend the festive period with wife Alison and their two children, while Brynmill-based Simon, a crew manager in Morriston, will enjoy the holiday with partner Michelle and their four children.

But after filling up on turkey and mince pies, the pair then face around 65 days during which they will have to navigate waves up to 50ft in their 24ft boat, while carrying all their food and water supplies with them.

The duo have been sponsored by a number of local businesses, and hope to use their profile to raise cash for the firefighters' charity, which provides services to serving, retired and injured fire service workers.

Their boat is due to be exhibited in Swansea's National Waterfront Museum once the challenge has been completed.

For more information visit: www.atlanticelement.co.uk