Endeavour Quay boatyard has begun preparation and maintenance work on three British Open 60s vessels which will undertake the gruelling round-the-world solo challenge on November 9.

The shore crews of Alex Thomson's Hugo Boss vessel, Brian Thompson's Pindar, and Dee Caffari's Aviva Ocean Racing have chosen the boatyard as their pre-race pit stop ahead of the 42,000km competition, which will see them go head-to-head with around 30 international competitors.

All three boats have been built in the last 18 months, and are now undergoing a final 'tune-up' at the yard.

It is the latest triumph for the boatyard, which has had a dramatic turnaround in fortunes since it narrowly avoided closure less than three years ago, when Camper & Nicholsons quit the yard.

Mark Bowden, operations director of Endeavour Quay Ltd, said: 'Over the past five years we have acquired a reputation as one of the best boatyards in the UK for hosting these final race preparations because we have massive undercover facilities in our shed, as well as a 180-ton hoist and our 35-ton mobile crane.

'We provide the space and the facilities and whatever specialist services are required, while the teams can bring in their own preparatory staff and have 24-hour access. We are proud to have Aviva, Hugo Boss and Pindar here and wish them all the best of luck in the Vendee.'