LOGISTIC problems have forced Halesowen’s round the world challenger Sam Greatrex to abandon plans to kayak across the Strait of Gibraltar.

The 29-year-old has been held up on the Rock waiting the go-ahead from the harbour master for a month.

But planning the navigation of the heavy traffic lane has proved too difficult and he has had to re-route his journey.

He said: “There's been a lot of re-shuffling with the routing following news of the logistical problems posed by the Strait of Gibraltar.”

The cancer survivor, who aims to raise £240,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support with his record-breaking human-powered lap of the world, has been forced to re-route his Atlantic row and the South American leg of the journey.

The alteration has meant changing the schedules of his rowing team who will support him across the ocean in a purpose-built rowing boat.

Mr Greatrex said: “ I have just about got through the chaos and I'll be setting off on the bike again next Wednesday to cycle to Lagos, Portugal, which will conclude the first leg of the journey and mark the departure point for the Atlantic row to Georgetown, Guyana.”

The epic row, which is expected to take two to three months, will start in mid-January.

He set off from Paris on September 6 to cycle 18,000 miles and row 14,000 nautical miles around the Earth in 18 months, smashing 11 world records as he passes through 26 countries.

His unique global challenge can be followed on www.laptheworld.com