Sailor of 70 saved in Atlantic

A 70-year-old British sailor was rescued from his 114-year-old yacht today 300 miles south of Land's End.

Five ships and an RAF Nimrod were sent to find the solo yachtsman after he activated a satellite distress beacon.

He had battled against gale force winds and high seas for three days and nights without sleep before calling for help.

The man, who has not been named, was sailing to the UK from Antigua and suffered cuts, bruises and shock.

The Nimrod was scrambled from Kinloss in Scotland and began a search for the British-registered Dunlyn as merchant ships were diverted to the area.

The 48,000-tonne container ship Sydney Express was the first to reach the sailor and took him on board in a force seven gale. The ship is due to reach London tomorrow.