by Sam Lennon

slennon@thekmgroup.co.uk

Spirited Sir Richard Branson had to give up on an attempt to cross the Channel kite-surfing - but was delighted when his son Sam made it and broke a record.

The Virgin boss had to give up halfway across the sea today (Saturday) and make his journey from France to Folkestone on a boat instead.

But his 27-year-old offspring became the fastest person to kite-surf solo across the Channel, landing on the beach at the Rotunda area of Folkestone in 2hrs 18 mins. The previous record was 2hrs 30mins - set in 1999.

Sam told the Kentish Express: "It was an amazing experience. It was a bit difficult at first because there was a lull in the wind on the other side but we made it."

Billionaire Sir Richard, 61, had aimed to become the oldest to cross the Channel on a kite-surf and be part of a team making the quickest journey.

But he had to turn back to France midway, explaining: "My kite-surf turned out to be too small and I was told I would have to go back to France to get a bigger one. I was sailing towards the cliffs of Dover and I was told I would go straight into them.

"But when I got back to France I found they had packed up the kites. So I just had to get across by boat. But we are going to try this again tomorrow (Sunday) from Folkestone and I am glad Sam broke that record."

Sir Richard had set off on the 30-mile adventure from Wimereaux near Boulogne, also with his twin nephews Ludo and Milo and friends.

It was first thought that the group of 10 may land at Hythe but Sir Richard had drifted off course towards the White Cliffs at Langdon, Dover, where there is no beach.

Sam and the eight others who finished also set the record for fastest group for this form of crossing, which had no previous record.