Man attempts paddleboard record

Two safety boats monitored the paddleboarders' progress

A father has attempted the longest continuous paddle in UK waters to raise cash for his daughter's school.

Paul Hatton left Wembury beach, near Plymouth, on a paddleboard to get to the Eddystone Lighthouse and return to the Devon shore at Bantham beach.

The 39-year-old surfer from Thurlestone finished the 30-mile (48km) trip in just over eight hours.

He was joined by Liam Krige, 27, and Stefan Little, 21. Liam retired after reaching the lighthouse.

Paddleboards differ significantly from surfboards. They are about 17ft 6ins (5.3m) long and are specially designed to keep the body out of the water.

The paddleboarders, who were only able to use their arms for propulsion, left Wembury at about 0900 BST on Thursday.

The 30-mile paddle took about eight hours instead of a planned 10

After finishing at Bantham at about 1700 BST, Mr Hatton said the trip was "hardest thing I've ever done in my life".

He said: "The conditions were atrocious. We got to the Eddystone after the first 12 miles and we were running into the wind and swell as well."

Two safety boats followed the three paddleboarders, taking Mr Krige when he decided to retire.

Despite the exhaustion, Mr Hatton said he was glad he had succeeded in finishing and hoped he had raised about £5,000 to refurbish Pearson pre-school.