A wheelchair-bound sailor and his blind shipmate are hoping to beat hundreds of able-bodied competitors in a popular yacht race.

Martin Cheshire, from Eastbourne, and Dennis Manning, from Lowestoft, Suffolk, are to compete in the Hoya Round The Island race around the Isle of Wight on June 16.

Mr Cheshire, 50, has fitted a special seat into his 23ft open sports boat, Puff Pirate, and rigged up a wheel steering system so his disability will not hamper his sailing during the race.

His crewmate, Mr Manning, 55, who operates the main sheet and spinnaker, needs only to be shown around the boat before the race so he can memorise where everything is.

Mr Cheshire said: "Dennis is simply amazing. He is almost completely blind and uses a stick on land, but he works his way around the yacht using his memory, touch, and all his available senses.

"I would say he works just as well, if not better, than any able-bodied crew member. He can spot a water shift before anyone else."

The teammates met almost two years ago on a training day for the British Paralympic sailing team at Cowes, on the Isle of Wight.

They decided to join up and have since become a team to beat in the world of yacht racing.

They will have some stiff competition in the 65th annual Round The Island race, which is open to anyone and has already received more than 850 entries.

Mr Cheshire, who has been sailing all his life, said: "We may both be disabled but we will still give all the others a run for their money."

Father-of-two Mr Cheshire, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, said sailing helps him forget about his disability and compete on an equal footing with other sailors.

He said: "When I am in a wheelchair everyone seems to think of me as somebody to be patted on the head, but when I am in a boat no body knows I'm in a wheelchair and I am no different from anybody else."

"I also find the movement of the boat therapeutic. I feel much less pain and it helps me feel free again."

Mr Cheshire is used to success in the world of sailing. His greatest achievement was travelling to the Sydney Olympics as part of the British Paralympic sailing team last year.

He said: "It was a great experience even though I was only a reserve.

"I have my sights firmly set on making the team proper in 2004."

To enter the Hoya Round the Island race, call the Island Sailing Club on 01983 296911 or visit www.hoyaroundtheisland.org.uk