A sixteen-year-old who was aiming to be the youngest person to skipper an electric boat around Britain will have to wait another year to attempt the mammoth journey.

Harry Besley, a sixth-former from Taunton, was due to begin the journey at Lyme Regis Harbour this summer, however, the challenge has been postponed due to "delays in the production schedule" of the vessel.

The challenge will now take place in the summer of 2024.

If he completes the challenge next year, Harry will still be able to claim the accolade of the youngest person to skipper an electric boat around Britain, aged 17.

A spokesperson for the event said: "While the full event is now postponed until 2024, due to delays in the production schedule, this shift allows the team to gather comprehensive performance data during extensive sea trials.

"This valuable information will then be integrated into the planning for next year’s challenge, enabling the Locations and Meet and Greet teams to publicise a more informed schedule to support this exciting event."

Harry said: “I’m really disappointed not to be touring the UK this summer to demonstrate electric propulsion, but I am definitely looking forward to seeing the challenge vessel and testing out what it can achieve.

"The good news is we will be able to share some of our findings from the sea trials with our followers on social media which will no doubt start building even more interest and engagement in this project, ready for next year.”

Jaqui Besley, Round Britain eRIB, Project Manager, said: “Whilst we are disappointed both for ourselves and for the Locations Teams who have been making preparations to support us, considering the extreme nature of the challenge and the new technology in play, there was always a delivery risk involved.

"There are however, definite benefits from this postponement as the boat builder will now have more time to optimise the vessel for use and we can further develop our story around the environmental urgency for driving change into this sector.”