TWO former RAF servicemen left disabled after major accidents yesterday started a 3,000-mile journey around the British coastline.

David Abrutat, 28, from Scarborough, cycled across London's Tower Bridge on a hand-bike to start their mammoth trip to raise £100,000 for the Royal British Legion.

Shortly afterwards Nigel Rogoff, 43, from Hereford, launched his kayak into the River Thames to begin his journey in the Around Britain Challenge.

The pair also hope to raise awareness of the National Blood Service which provided them with blood after their accidents.

Britain's Paralympian gold medallist Tanni Grey-Thompson was also on hand to provide words of encouragement.

Before starting the trip, Mr Abrutat, who was paralysed in a car crash two-years-ago, said: "I'm just raring to go. It is a day we have all been looking forward to since we started training a year and a half ago,'' he said.

The two men have been training for the trip on the North Yorkshire Moors and also in Spain.

Mr Abrutat added that he would be meeting his fellow traveller every day during the journey, the first stage of which will see them cover 27 miles to Gravesend and 20-30 miles each day after that.

Mr Rogoff, had his leg amputated after he hit the roof of Aston Villa football club during a parachute display in 1998.

Ms Grey-Thompson, who lives in Redcar, said: ''If you have a disability you have different issues when taking a challenge like this.

''They are also raising the profile of the Royal British Legion and the National Blood Service. It is important for them to be putting something back for the help they receive.''