A FORMER soldier on a gruelling transatlantic row could have to re-learn to walk on his prosthetic limbs when it is finally over.

Neil Heritage, from Poole, who lost his legs in a suicide bombing in Iraq, and is one of a four-man team making the row in a bid to raise £1million for charity.

The Row2Recovery mission has been blighted by tough conditions and bad luck. The team rationing water while they wait for a support boat to catch up with them.

They are more than 2,000 miles through their row from the Canary Islands to Barbados.

Former soldier Neil, 30, from Upton, is now a PE teacher at Allenbourn School, Wimborne.

Race2Recovery spokesman Sam Peters said Neil had suffered a “significant amount of muscle waste” during the trip.

He added: “He’s looking at having to almost re-learn to walk on his prosthetics when he gets to the other side. It was completely expected but I think the level of muscle reduction has been slightly above what he’d expected.

“They anticipated some problems so he’s not going to have to start all over again.

“But it will be pretty tough for him for the first couple of weeks getting back on those prosthetics.”

The crew’s de-salinator has broken down and they are rationing their water while hoping their support vessel, Aurora, reaches them by January 10. If it did not, they would have to put out a distress signal.

The crew of four injured and two able-bodied veterans are rowing by night and resting by day because of the heat.

“Rations are limited to two litres of water a day. They do have enough water on board to last them until January 10. As we stand, it looks as though the support vessel will get to them on January 8,” said Mr Peters.

“They feel that they will be able to turn this situation around and get themselves resupplied and continue with their mission to get across. It’s just another example of how determined they are to inspire people and show what people with severe injuries are capable of achieving.

“Once they got to the point where there were less than 1,000 miles to go, that was a huge psychological boost. They’re really counting the miles to Barbados and thinking about the welcome party they will have when they get there.”

Money raised from the row will be split between the charities Help for Heroes, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) and ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity.