Rower stuck in a boat forces book day event delay

Rory Gibbs was due to visit a school in Surrey but had his plans disrupted by a storm in Bermuda

Gold medallist rower Rory Gibbs has been forced to cancel a World Book Day event in Surrey, after he was caught in a storm in the Caribbean.

Mr Gibbs, who grew up in Cobham, had been due to visit Goldsworth Primary School in Woking on Thursday to reveal his new children's book series, which aims to promote sporting values.

However, he has had to delay travel back across the Atlantic, after a cruise liner he was aboard was unable to dock in the bad weather, causing him to miss his flight to the UK.

The school says it has rescheduled his appearance for next week.

Mr Gibbs was on a speaking tour on a cruise liner, and had been due to leave the ship in Bermuda at the weekend, to fly back to the UK.

The storm meant the ship was unable to dock, and so has had to set sail back across the Atlantic.

Mr Gibbs now hopes to fly back from the Azores but, depending on the weather, may have to stay aboard until it docks in Southampton.

Over events are still going ahead, with the 2025 Farnham Literary Festival, holding more than 50 events, involving 100 writers between 6 and 16 March.

A literary festival is set to start on Thursday

Organisers said participants can "immerse" themselves in the world of books, novels, poetry, spoken word, illustration, film, theatre, creative writing and flash fiction.

The Farnham Literary Festival will take place at the Museum of Farnham, Farnham Maltings, Blue Bear Bookshop and Oxfam Books and Music, alongside other venues in the town.

About 2,5000 people attended 2024's edition of the festival, which is organised by Farnham Town Council.

World Book Day is a charity event held in the UK and Ireland, where children in full-time education are typically given a £1 voucher to spend on books.