Charity paddle trio down to one

The paddle is in aid of the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund

Three Kent men attempting to paddle around the south coast in kayaks have been hit by sickness and poor weather.

Mark Foulds, 35, Brett Meridith and Shaun Cullen, both 41, set off from Lands End, in Cornwall, on 21 June, to head back to St Margaret's Bay, Dover.

However, two of the trio have had to pull out - one has a shoulder injury and the other has mild hypothermia.

Mr Cullen is attempting to complete the feat on his own, but has had to change his route due to the severe weather.

The two firemen and a carpenter had been travelling about 37 miles a day, and camping each night on a beach.

Unpredictable weather

They had hoped to complete the 450-mile journey within two weeks and have been completely self-sufficient, carrying all their food and gear in their boats.

Their aim is to raise £3,000 for the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund, and to promote fire and sea safety along the way.

However, the unpredictable weather conditions have hampered their expedition and Mr Cullen was told that he may not get suitable conditions to kayak the coast for at least five days.

On Tuesday, he was about 180 miles from home along his intended route and it was decided that he would paddle the equivalent distance back to Dover, via inland waterways, from Newbury, in Berkshire.

Organisers said he would face completely different challenges, around locks and weirs, and would have to negotiate tidal flows and busy shipping lanes before entering the North Sea for the last two days of his journey.

He set off from Newbury at midday on Tuesday, and is due to arrive in St Margaret's Bay by 10 July.