A Kent student is the youngest person to take part in this year's series of The Island with Bear Grylls.

Patrick Dauncey, from Tunbridge Wells, has taken a gap year from his studies to take part in the survival challenge, aired on Channel 4.

The 19-year-old has been abandoned on an uninhabited island in the Pacific alongside 15 others.

The group, made up of eight men and eight women, were dropped on opposite sides of the island in the show's Series 3 premiere on Monday.

They will be unaware of the other's existence unless they manage to find the other group.

Bear Grylls, an adventurer, writer and presenter of The Island, said: "We wanted to take this season to the next level and putting men and women together was the natural progression.

"It is easy to assume that this will turn into a battle of the sexes – but in truth it is much deeper than that and is a battle for survival - that’s not about gender or how big and tough someone may look, that’s about mental strength and character.”

The contestants arrived by boat with only the clothes they stood in, basic medial supplies, enough water for 24 hours and key survival training from Bear and his team.

Across six episodes they will battle to survive on their wits and determination dealing with extreme weather conditions and environmental hazards.

Patrick signed up for the show after watching the first and second series, and thinking he could do better.

He also wanted to prove his generation have the ability to survive in unforgiving environments, despite modern day privileges.

He describes himself as an adrenalin junkie who loves mountain biking, racing and skiing.

Patrick also attends British Military Fitness classes in Tunbridge Wells.

He feels being the youngest contestant in the third series of The Island means he will have to work hard to prove himself older members of the group.

In Monday's episode the men faced a desperate search for water and spent 10 hours trying to light a fire. They also battled the elements as a tropical storm hit the island.

The women were struck down by sickness after drinking stagnant water but managed to locate a suitable camping spot.

The Island with Bear Grylls continues on Channel 4 at 9pm on Monday.