GP Nell Wyatt says she is preparing for the challenge of her life after being chosen to take part in two legs of the gruelling round-the- world Clipper Race.

Dr Wyatt, of the Bradford on Avon and Melksham Partnership, is preparing for the 40,000-mile boat race in Cape Town this week and will compete in leg three and six.

Leg three, which starts next week, will take her 4,700 miles from Cape Town to Western Australia. She will come back to Bradford on Avon for three-and-a-half months, before returning to the race for leg six, a 5,100-mile journey from China to San Francisco.

The 54-year-old said: “I want to see huge waves, experience high winds and I want to be tested. I have picked the two roughest legs of the journey because I want a challenge in my life.”

She will race on the 70ft Jamaica with around 20 crew members.

The godmother of ten has been sailing since she was a child and has take part in numerous races, including the Fastnet Race and races across the channel.

She underwent four intense weeks of training which included how to change a headsail and live on a racing boat, constantly being at a 30 degree angle.

She said: “I am used to the lack of sleep from being in medicine, although I am sure I will find it a challenge. The lack of privacy will be more testing and you can only have one shower every eight days.

“I am very excited but nervous. I would love to see an albatross and a whale.”