A ONE-ARMED sailor's solo journey around the British Isles has been snubbed by the Guinness Book of Records for being too "complex".

Keith White, who lost the use of his left arm in a car crash 14 years ago, left Gillingham harbour on June 8 to undertake the anti-clockwise circumnavigation of the country.

During the charity trip the 56-year-old ran into trouble off the west coast of Ireland when his boat, the Nephele, was hit by 70mph winds in a gale force 11 storm.

The RNLI, coast guards, two helicopters and a Nimrod search aircraft took 18 hours to find him.

After three days in hospital with two broken ribs, he set sail again returning home on July 22 after a 2,000-mile journey.

The building inspector then tried to register his triumph with the Guinness Book of Records.

Following several unanswered emails, staff claimed it could not be registered as the trip was too complicated and too specific.

Mr White, of Mottingham Gardens, Mottingham, said: "As far as I know it's never been done before by a disabled person, especially anti-clockwise as it means sailing against the winds. I don't understand why they won't let me take the record.

"They've said it's because it's too specific and complex but if there's someone else out there who'd like to beat me then they'd be welcome."

He added: "It would be such an achievement, a pat on the back and something to shout about."

On October 13 the father-of-four, who has now raised more than £8,000, some of which will go to the RNLI, will return to Ireland to thank the four crews who helped save his life.

To show his gratitude the sailor of 41 years will take a selection of gifts with him, including specially-commissioned paintings of 17th-century galleons and a cake modelled on a lifeboat. He will present the gifts to each rescuer before a party gets underway.

He said: "They are heroes, each and every one of them. I will be putting £500 behind the bar to make sure the night gets off to a good start."

Nobody from the Guinness Book of Records was available to comment before going to print.

Mr White now plans to sail from England to America, once again single handed.