A CREW of disabled ex-servicemen, led by former Tavistock veteran Ian Whiting, has completed the 65th 'Round the Island' yacht race.

The crew, all of whom are missing legs, completed one of the world's largest and most popular races around the Isle of Wight in 7 hrs 43 mins.

Ian, known locally as Fishy, said: 'Sailing under the banner of the charity BLESMA, this is the first time an all-amputee crew has sailed in this race.'

BLESMA — the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen and women's Association — is a national charity specifically for people disabled serving their country, their dependents and widows.

The race is part of the crew's preparation for the forthcoming Fastnet race.

This year's race, with 15,000 sailors aboard 1,735 yachts, was the fastest ever in the history of the race. Two records were shattered and ten boats slipped in under the previous record time.

'For a large number of the yachts, simply completing the 'London Marathon of sailing' and being awarded the traditional Round the Island Race 'finisher's tankard' is an achievement — there were 1,456 finishers this year, the most finishers ever in this race,' said Fishy.