NON-STOP SAILOR STOPS AFTER MINUTES

A 2,000 mile non-stop voyage around Britain in a 14ft dinghy was postponed after the lone yachtsman rammed another boat minutes after setting out from Maningtree Beach, Essex.

The collision forced sailor Stuart Hill to delay the start of his voyage yet again after two earlier setbacks.

Stuart, was poisoned by fumes from epoxy resin while working on his boat, and his tiny craft capsized on its maiden voyage.

On this occasion he set sail but the centre-board of his dinghy, ‘Maximum Exposure’, jammed. Unable to steer, he ran into a boat moored on the River Stour.

Stuart, 58, of Manningtree, Essex, said: "My family think I'm a little mad but I am determined to complete the trip."

He hopes to finish the voyage, which includes Ireland, in about 20 days.

Robin Knox-Johnson and Peter Keig hold the present record, which stand at 18 days