A burly firefighter staggered across the finish line of one of the world's toughest races and immediately vowed: "Never again."

Shattered John Hibberd completed the infamous Marathon des Sables in the blistering heat of the Sahara desert.

One athlete died from heat exhaustion during the seven-day race, and a fellow Brit suffered a heart attack.

But John, 39, managed to survive the gruelling 142-mile event as temperatures soared to a strength-sapping 43C - almost 110F.

He had to drink ten litres of water every day just to keep going.

"It was the hardest thing I've done in my life," said the Colchester firefighter. "It was very, very tough.

"Your feet swell up in the heat and you get massive blisters."

John ran and walked more than 20 miles a day in the scorching conditions to finish the race in 67 hours.

Almost 800 runners from 38 countries took part in the ultimate endurance test.

"One bloke died out there," said John. "He went to bed and didn't wake up. Another British bloke had a heart attack.

"You have no idea what it's like until you get out there."

John's bravery raised £7,500 for St Helena Hospice.

He is now recovering back home in Hurrell Down, Myland, before returning to work.