Army veteran rescued by coastguard during Rockall record attempt

Cam Cameron aimed to spend 60 days on Rockall

An army veteran trying to set a world record for the number of days living on the tiny North Atlantic isle of Rockall has been rescued by the coastguard.

Cam Cameron set off on 26 May to spend 60 days on the uninhabitable rock, 230 miles (370km) west of North Uist, to raise money for veterans charities.

Above the water level, Rockall is only 100ft (30m) wide and 70ft (21m) long.

Mr Cameron, from Cherhill near Calne in Wiltshire, called for aid after 32 days due to "declining weather conditions".

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said it sent a search and rescue helicopter from Stornoway after receiving the distress call at 08.55.

A spokeswoman later confirmed Mr Cameron had been winched to safety following an operation which was supported by a fixed wing aircraft.

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In a Twitter update at 19:33, his supporters said he had been recovered and was "safe and in good hands".

Before embarking on his record attempt in the Outer Hebrides, the former Gordon Highlander told the BBC he was prepared for the challenge.

Mr Cameron said: "I'll need to take all water, food, fuel, clothing, safety equipment, everything with me for the 60 days on this tiny little area.

"I'll have a drysuit with me. I've got an emergency position-indicating radio beacon, I've got a VHF radio so I've got everything I think I need in order to survive."

However, on Wednesday Mr Cameron's team announced that his challenge was now over and confirmed an operation to evacuate him from the remote island was under way.

It stated: "Due to declining weather conditions and sea state at Rockall over the last 24 hrs, Cam has this afternoon declared a mayday."

An MCA spokeswoman later said: "The man who sent a distress alert on Rockall has been winched to safety by the coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Stornoway.

"The helicopter has now returned to Stornoway with the man, who is safe and well."

The current world record for a 45-day stay on Rockall was set by adventurer Nick Hancock in 2014.

He beat the previous record held by three Greenpeace campaigners who lived there for 42 days in 1997, and the former solo record of 40 days set by veteran Tom McClean in 1985.

Mr Cameron said he had everything he needed to survive in his living pod