Athlete Nicky Farrugia yesterday started the second phase of his triathlon record-breaking attempt from Marble Arch in London to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

He is trying to break the Enduroman Arch-to-Arch world record by running, swimming and cycling between the two arches in under 81 hours, five minutes.

Mr Farrugia yesterday started crossing the 33 kilometre of English Channel from Shakespeare Beach in Dover. He completed his run from Marble Arch to Dover, a distance of 140 kilometres, in 21 hours, 28 minutes and 23 seconds on Saturday, leaving him with seven hours of rest before his swim.

After the swim, Mr Farrugia will rest for a few hours before he cycles for another 15 hours to cover the 290-kilometre distance from Calais to Paris.

The current record of 81 hours and five minutes was set by Eddie Ette on July 30, 2001 (run - 20 hours and 34 minutes, rest, swim - 17 hours and 30 minutes, rest, cycle - 18 hours and 48 minutes).

The gruelling test, which has long been Mr Farrugia's personal ambition, will also serve to raise funds for Dar tal-Providenza and Inspire (Eden and Razzett Foundation).

This is the second time Mr Farrugia is crossing the Channel. The first time was in 1989, a year after he swam between Sicily and Malta.

He holds a number of local swimming and triathlon records and has taken part in a large number of international competitions.