THE height of the most westerly outpost of the UK has been changed after data collated by an adventurer who spent a record-breaking 45 days on the rocky isle showed it was lower than previously thought.

Nick Hanock's tests during his fundraising occupation in the summer confirmed that Rockall's position in the Atlantic Ocean is the same as that calculated in 1977.

But the height has been officially recalculated and it is now registered as having a mean height above sea level of just over 56ft 3in, officially recorded as 17.15m. It means it is more than 2ft 9in (0.85m) lower than the previous measurement suggested.

Mr Hancock said: "I had hoped my survey results might significantly relocate Rockall, but being able to finally establish the true height of the rock means my time spent has even greater long-term significance than just breaking the previous occupation records and raising funds for Help for Heroes."

Mark Greaves, Ordnance Survey satellite positioning expert, said: "This provided a very useful check on the official chart position of Rockall."