BRAVE Worcester rower Richard Wood claims he was forced to abandon his bid to cross the Atlantic because of a "cock-up" by race organisers.

The determined city man, who decided to complete the 3,000 mile Ward Evans Atlantic Rowing Challenge single-handed when partner Rob Ringer retired, claims a faulty messaging system was fitted to the boat, which resulted in the pair being left stranded for two days.

Despite being narrowly missed by an ocean-going car ferry, the father-of-three vowed to complete the gruelling race himself, but was forced to retire after a cooking accident at sea last Tuesday.

But he said despite raising nearly £400,000 in entry fees, Challenge Business - which organised the Tenerife to Barbados race - had failed to provide safety yachts or back up.

"It was a cock-up from the beginning," said Richard. "We didn't know where we were starting from until the day of the race.

"I'm certain if the safety boat had come out to us when Rob retired I could have continued. I sent 30 messages asking to be picked up and no one came, so after two days we had to row back to land."

He said this meant when he embarked on his solo bid from El Hierro, near Tenerife, he was caught in local currents meaning he lost a lot of the ground.

"I realised I was going to run out of food before I was anywhere near crossing the Atlantic," he added. "Then I scalded my hand which meant I had to pull out."

Richard, who was rowing the Spirit of Worcestershire to raise money for St Richard's Hospice, said he was forced to provide a satellite phone for the boat himself before embarking on his solo bid.

But even after contacting organisers on the phone, he claims they let him down.

"When I pulled out I was told the safety yacht was in the area and would help," he said. "But the following day I was told it was 300-miles away and the crew which was meant to tow me back refused.

"My wife Usha managed to arrange for another boat to collect me."

Now Richard, of Northwick Road, hopes to sell the boat to clear debts and help the Worcester-based charity.

No one from Challenge Business was available for comment before the Evening News went to print.