Branson has to halt latest record attempt

Sir Richard Branson was forced yesterday to put on hold his dream to set two world records by kite-boarding across the English Channel.

After strong winds and a choppy sea made it unsafe for him to proceed with the 24-mile crossing on Tuesday, a lack of wind meant he had to abandon his second attempt yesterday.

The Virgin entrepreneur had hoped to celebrate his 60th birthday by becoming the oldest person to cross the Channel by kite-board. He had also aimed to make the fastest crossing by a kite-board team.

Accompanied by his children Holly, 29, and Sam, 26, and a number of others including Princess Beatrice's boyfriend Dave Clark, 28, he planned to set off from Dungeness in Kent yesterday morning.

The group included Sir Richard's 15-year-old nephew Ivo Branson, who hoped to become the youngest person to cross the Channel by kite-board. But the winds were much lower than anticipated and after three attempts to get his kite up in the water, he had to call it a day.

He said: "Everyone is keen to get back and do it and we'll hopefully be back again some time over the next month."