TOP Hampshire sailors Libby Greenhalgh, Helena Lucas and Mary Rook are joining an all-woman team from the county's fire service as it makes its debut at the United Kingdom Firefighters Sailing Challenge.

The trio have been drafted into the crew of HFRS Magenta, made up of firefighters and non-uniform staff from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The team is taking to the water in a 40ft Sunset sailing yacht competing with 28 other crews in what is already a record year for the fundraising event, held on the Solent this week.

Round the world yachtswoman Greenhalgh, Paralympic gold medallist Lucas and solo sailor Rook will be joined by Amy Beams, Charlie Ashman, Dalvinder Rai, Jill Horn, Katie Loates, Jo Chaplin, Lucy Robinson, Ann Christin Olsen-Haines and Ellen Culhane, as well as Maisie Rudkin form West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

HFRS’s Inclusion and Diversity Manager Leanne Illman said: “We are really proud to be supporting our first all female crew into this year’s sailing challenge.

“We want our female staff to feel empowered and to believe there are no limits to what they can accomplish.

“The support, self belief and determination they have, and give to each other, proves that incredible things can happen.”