A former army officer has reached the halfway point in a mission to raise money for injured soldiers.

James Kenworthy, 28, is currently in the middle of the Atlantic in a six-man rowing boat as part of a charity row across the ocean in aid of Help for Heroes.

James, who lives in South Godstone and served in the Royal Artillery before leaving the Army in 2008, was a novice rower before embarking on the trip but his proud dad Bob said he was enjoying life at sea.

Bob, 63, who has been in email contact with his son, said: "They sailed from Morocco and are rowing to Barbados but they reached the halfway point a few days ago.

"They hope to finish around the end of the first week in March and we'll be flying out to Barbados to see him.

"He's enjoying being out there and he's getting on well with the others in the boat."

James has so far managed to raise more than £8,000 for Help for Heroes but is eager to raise more cash for the charity that helps injured servicemen and women.

Bob said: "James has been out in Iraq and Afghanistan and wanted to do something to help other soldiers.

"He's raised a lot of money so far but the charity will always need more, especially at the moment with the new offensive in Afghanistan going on.

"He just wants to do his bit."

To track James's progress across the Atlantic visit www.worldoceanrowing.com or go to www.justgiving.com/James-Kenworthy to donate.