Oarsman rows to new Thames record

Malcolm Knight is a member of the Ditton Skiff and Punting Club

A rower from Surrey has broken the record for rowing the length of the River Thames.

Malcolm Knight, from Thames Ditton, rowed 165 miles from Lechlade Bridge in Gloucestershire to Gravesend Pier in 43 hours, 40 minutes and 56 seconds.

His time knocked more than 16 hours off the previous best for a single oarsman.

Mr Knight said he had feared the weather might hamper his chances of breaking the record but found the high tide - and his supporters - helped him.

He rowed the 165 miles in a Thames skiff, between Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning, reaching Gravesend at 1140 BST on Saturday.

If anyone ever thinks of having a go at this record I wish them the very best of luck - they'll need it Record breaker Malcolm Knight

Mr Knight belongs to Ditton Skiff and Punting Club, whose members have set five world records in the past 16 years.

Fellow members and other supporters lined the route, meeting him at every lock, with a launch following him on the water and two safety cruisers on the river.

His record row was sponsored, raising more than £3,000 for The Rowing Foundation and Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Mr Knight said: "The weather didn't look good - rain, sleet, snow and wind - but with the extra flow in the river and an exceptionally high tide mother nature actually helped me.

"I just couldn't have done it without all my supporters, they were feeding me, giving me massages and lots of encouragement, fantastic.

"If anyone ever thinks of having a go at this record I wish them the very best of luck - they'll need it."