Sir Richard Branson is to mark his 60th birthday by kitesurfing the English Channel.

The Virgin boss will be accompanied by his children, Holly, 29, and Sam, 26, and some of his nephews.

The family will leave from Dungeness in Kent and embark on a 24-mile crossing to a point on the French coast, with the finishing position being dependent on wind conditions.

Sir Richard who celebrated his 60th birthday yesterday, will undertake his latest venture - likely to take six hours - some time in August.

He and his team have been getting fit for the crossing at the Virgin Active UK health club chain.

Sir Richard said: "Kitesurfing is one of my favourite sports. I absolutely love the amazing rush you get when going at high speeds, in high winds, with the most beautiful kite acting as your only guide."

He went on: "My wife (Joan) swears I get more barking as I get older. This year I've almost crippled myself running 26.2 miles in my first marathon and now I'm putting my poor 60-year-old bones through an arduous 24.4 miles, over water, hanging on to a giant kite.

"Joan could have a point. But as Holly, Sam and my nephews will be doing it with me, at least I can claim the whole family is barking and at the end of the day they are Joan's children as well - so she's 50 per cent responsible."