DESPITE spending 101 gruelling days at sea, rower Richard Wood has been forbidden from trimming his beard - by order of his children.

The father of three, who successfully rowed more than 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, has been told by Nayna and John, who are currently away at university, not to touch his over-grown facial hair until they have seen him.

Mr Wood, from Northwick Road, made a triumphant return home to Worcester on Monday after becoming only the 24th person to make the mammoth voyage from La Gomera, in the Canary Islands, to Barbados.

The 48-year-old officially completed the Ocean Rowing Society Ocean Rowing Regatta 2004 at 2.50pm GMT on Friday, April 30, by crossing longitude 59.37 west, which is accepted as the successful completion of an East-West Atlantic row.

Mr Wood said he was delighted to complete the row, which raised money for St Richard's Hospice, especially since he was forced to abandon the first attempt in 2001.

"In total, it has taken eight years to complete the challenge," he said. "It is a great feeling."

Mr Wood also thanked everyone who sent him text messages of support.

"I received around 20 to 30 a day. They were a tremendous help."

See tomorrow's Evening News for an exclusive interview with Richard Wood back home in Worcester.