You're rowing the Channel in that?

When comedian Tim FitzHigham came to the Metro newspaper asking for a plug for his latest venture, they thought he was joking.

How wrong they were. The man who last year paddled down the Thames in a paper canoe yesterday unveiled his latest vessel - a bath.

He plans to cross the Channel in aid of Sport Relief in the copper bath tub, named Lilibet II, and Metro is again backing his charity bid.

Weather permitting, Tim of the Thames - so named after he rowed 160 miles in his paper canoe - will depart from Cap-Gris-Nez, in France, on Friday. His trip will see him using the world's busiest shipping lanes to cross the Channel, and he plans to reach Tower Bridge on July 9, on the eve of Sport Relief Day. He will then follow the charity's ethos of 'going the extra mile' and row a nautical mile to Blackfriars Bridge.

His boat has navigation rights over tankers, ferries and liners as it has no engine. But, with larger ships having a stopping distance of at least six miles, Tim will be doing all he can to stay out of their way.

He will be using a plan, devised by the Romans for rowing in tidal water, which he believes is watertight. 'The idea is you time the tidal flow so you row seriously while the tide is on your side and then rest while it is going the other way,' he said.

The floating bathroom suite was designed by boat designer Douglas Hynd and boat builder Mark Edwards, who spent four weeks creating it.

The bath and shower were supplied by Thomas Crapper and Co, and the boat was launched in Richmond, Surrey, yesterday. It has the royal seal of approval with Buckingham Palace granting use of the Queen's pet name when she was a child, for a second time.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Tim should visit his new website, www.fitzhigham.co.uk