Polar sailor's yacht is damaged

Barrabas suffered damage to her mast earlier during the voyage

A sailor hoping to be the first to travel solo around the world via the polar regions has suffered a broken propeller shaft in a storm.

Adrian Flanagan, 45, from near Bicester, Oxfordshire, arrived in Nome in Alaska, US, on Wednesday.

He is hoping to have his yacht Barrabas lifted out of the water to test the propeller shaft and have it repaired.

The father-of-two began the charity fund-raising 35,000-mile (56,315km) trip in October.

Mr Flanagan has so far sailed southwards from the UK, across the North and South Atlantic towards the Falkland Islands, westwards around Cape Horn and northwards through the Pacific.

While making his way through Bering Sea on Sunday he had to endure "a murderous storm" with waves he described "sheer-faced 25ft monsters" .

He said it was the worst seas he has experienced during the 25,000 (40,234km) miles he has sailed so far.

Adrian Flanagan reached Hawaii in May after 193 days at sea

Mr Flanagan said: "I made it to within a couple of miles of Nome and into very shallow water."

But, unable to manoeuvre into port without the use of the engine, he was stuck and needed help.

"Juliana III, a local fishing boat came out and towed me into the harbour."

He said the local people had been friendly and helpful.

"I have been here but scant hours and already have been taken for a meal and had offers to freely use a private house's bathroom for showers, and washing and drying machines," he said.

Once he is back on the water he is planning to sail through the Arctic and south-westerly across the North Sea.

Save the Children and Oxford Children's Hospital will both benefit from the voyage.