Quadriplegic sailor Hilary Lister has had to abandon her attempt to sail round the British Isles.

The 36-year-old from Dunkirk was trying to be come the first female quadriplegic to complete the feat.

But since setting off from Dover in June she has been hit by bad weather, problems with her boat and injuries among her support crew.

Hilary, who went to the King’s School in Canterbury, steers her unique boat using a sip and puff technique.

She had reached Cornwall before she and her team reluctantly decided to call it a day.

Hilary said: “I am obviously extremely disappointed and frustrated that we have not been able to complete the sail this year.

“It seems the fates have conspired against us but I am now ever more determined to go again next year.

“We always said that every mile we sailed would be an achievement in its own right and we have to try and take some positives from this year’s efforts.”

She added that she had enjoyed the night sailing and sense of freedom it brought.

In 2005 Hilary set a new record by becoming the first quadriplegic to sail solo across the Channel.

She suffers from a degenerative disease which has slowly limited the use of her body and learned to sail at Westbere.

Her husband, Clifford, has been part of her support team.