Rower Charlie Pitcher was forced to turn back after only six hours as he set off to break the Atlantic crossing world record.

The dad-of four, of Alderton Close, Felsted, is aiming to get from La Gomera, in the Canary Islands, to Barbados, within 40 days.

Charlie, 50, was frustrated by adverse weather conditions after he tried to set off on his solo world record attempt on Saturday.

He said: “I headed off from La Gomera at an astonishing rate only to get sucked up into the local weather under the land which left me rowing for two hours against the current and with a headwind.

“In all, I achieved very little distance as I fought these elements and so made a tough decision to head back to the start and wait for better weather.

“I could have been potentially rowing against unfavorable conditions for 12 to 18 hours which may seem little, but I am only here for one thing and that is to get across as fast as possible.”

He is now hoping to make a second attempt from La Gomera tomorrow morning.

Charlie is fundraising for Great Ormond Street Hospital and the C Group. Visit transatlanticsolo.com