RENOWNED water skier 77-year-old Chas Phipps will return to the same river where he set many of his world records to raise money for the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA).

Mr Phipps, who gained the nickname the Severn King after setting a number of world records for long-distance water skiing on the River Severn, will ski again, this time to raise money.

While the date of the challenge will be announced in the spring of 2017 when conditions are optimum, a fundraising launch will be held on 28th January at The Royal Oak Inn, Whitecroft.

When the time is right for Mr Phipps to hit the water, he will water ski behind a fully refurbished 1980s driver boat, a replica of the boat which he set some of his previous world records with.

Mr Phipps’ set many water skiing records from the late 1960s through to the 1980s, including 100 miles and 330 miles ‘non-stop’, on the River Severn and Severn Estuary.

On this outing Mr Phipps is not aiming to break a record but will hold on as long as he physically can. Money will be raised by donations and guesses being taken on how far he can go, with the closest guess receiving a prize.

Originally Mr Phipps was going to attempt this challenge in 2016 but bad conditions and complications with the boat moved the challenge to this year.

The attempt will will be a chance to commemorate Mr Phipps’ connection with SARA with all donations going straight to the organisation.

A SARA spokesperson said: “For Chas this means a lot as he realises he is getting older now and wants to do a big event reminiscent of his world record attempt days where SARA followed ensuring he was safe.

“Chas and the SARA team have been linked for many years. Chas has a lot of respect for SARA and the work they continue to do so well.”

The fundraising launch at The Royal Oak Inn will begin at 7.30pm and will include a night of music, a free buffet, entertainment and a charity raffle.

Tickets are free and available from the pub itself, donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/275yvpaz