RECORD-breaking diver hopeful Mark Colman is coping well with his new underwater “home”.

The former soldier is more than half way through his attempt to spend five days submerged in an underwater tank.

The 44-year-old dad and grandad is currently taking part in the caper at the Underwater Studios in Burnt Mills, Basildon.

He is aiming to spend 120 hours in the 20ft deep tank in a bid to not only smash the existing record, but to raise £500,000 for the charity which changed his life.

The former Royal Engineer, of Pendine Close, Corringham, has been well looked after by a team of supporters from the Underwater Studios who have been ensuring he is fed and watered when he comes up for a 20 minute break every four hours.

A spokesman from the firm said: “Mark is doing really well. He’s mainly eating porridge when he comes up to give him energy.

“We’ve been showing him the newspaper coverage of his attempt by pressing it up against the tank and he’s been giving us the thumbs up. He’s also been hearing all the messages of support coming in from him from the public thanks to the underwater radio.

Mark is raising money for the charity Veterans in Action (VIA) which helped him get through Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after he served in the Gulf War. His total so far stands at around £7,000.

To donate, visit http://uk.virginmoney giving.com/Markcolman