THE BRITISH rower injured in the Indian Ocean when his boat was battered during severe storms has been given the all-clear by a navy doctor.

Mike Noel-Smith was torn from his seat and smashed against the side of the boat during an epic challenge to row from Australia to Reunion Island, east of Madagascar.

He and fellow rower, Rob Abernethy, encountered trouble 1,500 nautical miles into their 4,000-mile journey when waves as high as 25ft crashed against the Transventure, ripping off its rudder, safety rail and stabilising device, leaving Mr Noel-Smith drifting in and out of consciousness.

But following the pair's dramatic rescue by the Australian Navy last night, the doctor on board HMAS Newcastle has given Mr Noel-Smith, aged 45, from Much Dewchurch in Herefordshire, the all-clear.

Stewart Ross, a spokesman for the pair's charity challenge, said: "Mike's been given the all-clear, although he will certainly have to have an X-ray when he arrives at Fremantle, the port they are headed for in Western Australia," he said.

"They both had a good night's sleep last night and are doing well."

The pair had hoped to beat the 64-day unofficial record for the journey while raising £250,000 for research into bacterial meningitis.