After weeks of battling against the elements, Bratton man James Glasson and his three teammates completed the world’s toughest rowing race on Tuesday.

Mr Glasson, who was born in Trowbridge and grew up in Bratton, finished the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge following 48 days at sea, travelling 3,000 miles from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua.

The 40-year-old professional polo player took part in the challenge as part of the Atlantic Polo Team, along with fellow polo players Bobby Melville, Henry Brett and Fergus Scholes.

Taking on 19 teams from around the world, the Atlantic Polo Team were the second team to reach land, but the first four-man crew to finish, after starting on December 4.

Mr Glasson, who is now based in Sussex, said: “We have had one of the hardest races since they started doing this and there were times where we were in really vulnerable positions, but that is the nature of the Atlantic.

“We are delighted with the position we finished in as at the end of the day we came with the intention of doing well. We are professional polo players and we wanted to win.

“But we never dreamed that we would achieve what we have. It would have been nice to win the overall race, but to be the first four-man crew was the main aim.

“I had my parents and friends waiting for me when we got in and it was an incredible feeling when we reached the finish. From day one you are thinking about arriving at the end and it was even better than expected.”

During the charity endurance race, which is renowned for its tough conditions, no outside support was allowed and no extra supplies such as food and water were given to the teams.

Mr Glasson added: “There were some tough times and periods where we wondered what on earth we were doing, but we are good friends and even when the physical and mental side took its toll we stuck together and got through it.”

The team is aiming to raise more than £100,000 for The Brooke, Right To Play and Hilton in the Community Foundation through the challenge. To donate, log on to www.atlanticpoloteam.com