A six-man crew from Dittons Skiff and Punting Club have won back the world record they set for rowing the entire length of the River Thames.

The team completed the exhausting 185-mile journey, from Lechlade Bridge in Gloucestershire to Southend Pier in Essex, in 30 hours, 57 minutes and 37 seconds.

The challenge was dubbed the Giant Meander because of the winding character of the Thames and took place in a skiff a Victorian rowing boat.

The men arrived at the finishing line eight hours faster than Thames Rowing Club the crew which set the previous record in 1993.

During the gruelling overnight challenge, which began at 4am on Friday, the crew stopped only to access the river's locks. To refuel, they ate sandwiches, jelly and oranges passed to them by a 30-strong support crew.

Malcolm Knight, manager of the club based in Albany Reach, Thames Ditton, told the Comet that despite the near perfect weather conditions, the men still had to endure some challenging obstacles.

He said: "The toughest part, both physically and mentally, was when they left Teddington Lock and were heading towards central London, as they were going against the incoming tide.

"The tide was pushing them back and their speed dropped from about seven or eight miles per hour down to four."

He described the team's "absolute elation" at completing the challenge and smashing the record.

He said: "Everyone is very thrilled. It's just a fantastic achievement for them and for the whole team."

Mr Knight was in the crew that set the original record for the course in 1988, which was then broken in 1993. The club was determined to win back its title.

Club president Simon Leifer rowed in both the 1988 and 2004 crews.

The crew dedicated the record to Norris McWhirter, co-founder of the Guinness Book of Records, who died last week.

They also helped to raise an estimated £10,000 for the Mayor of Elmbridge's charities, Bliss and the Alzheimer's Society, as well as the Crescent Resource Centre in Kingston and Cherry Trees a respite centre in Surrey for children with disabilities.

ksaines@london.newsquest.co.uk