Quadriplegic Kent sailor Hilary Lister has been forced to delay the start of her journey around Britain for safety reasons.

She was due to set sail from Dover today but the start has been put back until next Monday.

Project manager Toby May said: "The team has encountered a number of technical issues with the electronic control systems on Hilary’s boat and whilst these have been resolved by various adaptations and modifications, there has been insufficient time for the modifications to be fully tested at sea."

Project Director, Tony Leppard said: “A project of this nature is, unfortunately, prone to last minute changes of plan due to prevailing conditions - weather, health considerations, or other circumstances. We have made every effort to ensure that our planning and preparation has been as thorough as possible but we ultimately have to make decisions in light of our paramount consideration – the safety of Hilary and the crew.”