Rower Charlie Pitcher has smashed the world record for the fastest solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.

Charlie, 50, set off from the Canary Islands on February 6 and arrived in Barbados at 5.38pm UK time today.

The crossing took only 35 days, beating the previous world record by more than five days.

The dad-of four, who lives in Alderton Close, Felsted, is a member of the Royal Burnham Yacht Club and did much of his preparation on the waters of Essex.