I would like to thank all those from Burbage and the surrounding area who came to support me during my recent attempt at the Devizes to Westminster canoe race.

Their support was appreciated and certainly spurred me on my way.

All was going well until I approached Reading when an elbow injury prevented me from going any further.

Knowing the Thames would be a different ball game, it would have been irresponsible of me to continue with the likelihood of presenting problems to the organisers had I needed to be rescued.

Having trained for nearly a year, I am totally gutted but still hopeful to raise buckets full of cash for good causes in Burbage, the Jennifer Trust and the Falkland Islands Memorial Trust.

Well done to Simon Goddard, also from Burbage, for completing the race in a single, and thanks to him for the many times he dragged me out of the water like a drowned rat during our training sessions.

Bob Norbury, Ailesbury Way, Burbage.