A FORMER Royal Marine who lost part of one of his legs is returning to the seas by joining Team Britannia as part of a round-the-world record attempt.

Jez Scarratt, 57, from Taunton, and his fellow crew members hope to cut up to seven days off the current record of 11 minutes shy of 61 days in their 80ft aluminium powerboat.

Team Britannia will use a revolutionary eco boat that carves through the waves rather than surfing them, reducing fuel consumption by 30 per cent and making the 24,000 mile trip smoother and faster.

The boat will be crewed by a team of 12, including up to five wounded and injured service personnel on each of the seven legs of the voyage.

Jez also recently starred on Channel 4's Hunted reality television show, but was caught by the crack-team of hunters two weeks in, said he was looking forward to the voyage.

He said: "Team Britannia is an amazing opportunity as well as a huge physical and mental challenge.

"Serving as a Royal Marine certainly isn’t a cushy job, and hopefully that has prepared me for what will be an arduous and demanding voyage.

"Alan Priddy (team leader) has brought together a great team, blending experience and skill. Everyone onboard the boat has undertaken an extensive training programme and we are looking forward to setting off and smashing the world record.”

Jez, who sustained the loss of his lower right leg in 1982 while serving in the Marines, is no stranger to the open seas – he counts chasing a Russian warship off the coast of Iceland in a force 10 gale as just one of his nautical experiences.

He has also taken part in Paralympic opening ceremonies in 2012 and this year.

The record attempt gets underway early next year using the Europa Point in Gibraltar as its timing mark.

To complete the record attempt the boat must pass through the Suez and Panama Canals, cross the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator and start and finish in the same place.

Mr Priddy said: “I really can’t underplay the importance of getting the right team together if we are to demolish the current record, so I am glad we have Jez’s physical, mental resilience and sense of humour in the crew.”