Two rowers from Cornwall have had to be rescued when finding themselves in trouble near the end of the gruelling Atlantic Rowing Race.

An electronic SOS was sent from the Spirit of Cornwall by rowers Bob Warren, 40, and Chris Barrett, 41 and picked up by Falmouth Coastguards on Sunday.

The pair, from the Roseland Gig Club at St Mawes, were later rescued 100 miles east of the finish line in Antigua during severe weather and having taken to their liferaft.

They were later being taken aboard the race support ship Aurora to Antigua.

Bob Warren's father Charles from Point, Devoran, said he had been assured by the organisers the men were safe and well.

"They are on the Aurora and although weary, exhausted and bitterly disappointed, they are on their feet," he said.

The MRCC at Falmouth enabled the merchant vessel Rainbow, race support vessel Aurora and UK warship HMS Southampton to rush to the area where the rowers were said to have turned over and were being flooded in bad weather.

At first, the men could not be seen but a red flare was spotted and their life raft located.

Andy Cattrell, Watch Manager of MRCC Falmouth, said: "This was a prolonged operation with some difficult communications involved. The vessels involved are to be commended for their professionalism in carrying out this rescue in darkness and difficult sea conditions."

For full story see this week's Packet.