FORMER Haslemere resident and ex-King Edward’s Witley student Justin Evelegh and his three Oar Inspiring crew mates were the first British team to finish the world’s toughest ocean rowing race.

They completed the marathon voyage in 35 days, eight hours and five minutes.

Justin, the Marchioness of Blandford George Spencer-Churchill and brothers Caspar and Toby Thorp also came in second out of the 27 other international teams rowing 3,000 miles in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

The race started on December 12, from San Sebastian in La Gomera and they have been rowing unsupported day and night across the world’s second largest ocean in nothing but a seven-metre rowing boat.

The team arrived in Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua on January 16.

Their purpose was to raise enough money to fund a year’s worth of wishes for seriously ill children on behalf of Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Justin said: “I am delighted to finally be back on land and reunited with my family. Our ultimate goal is to raise £250,000 for Starlight children.”