Land's End to John O'Groats swimmer Sean Conway reaches end

Sean Conway: "The toughest part - getting stung in the face by jellyfish. I had to grow a ridiculous beard to help"

A man has completed his attempt to swim from Land's End to John O'Groats.

Sean Conway, 32, from Cheltenham, left west Cornwall on 30 June bound for the far north of the Scottish mainland.

He was attempting to become the first person to swim the route up Britain's west coast.

On Monday, the 135th day of his venture, Mr Conway reached John O'Groats on the Caithness coast. He said it was the hardest thing he had ever done.

Just moments after emerging from the water, he said: "It just shows that if you put your mind to something anything is possible.

"The hardest part was trying to deal with the weather, the cold and jelly fish in the face.

"I had to grow this ridiculous beard to stop the stings."

Sean Conway was attempting to become the first person to swim the route up Britain's west coast

Ninety of the 135 days were spent swimming while the rest was time Mr Conway had to stay out of the water because of bad weather.

Since 30 June, Mr Conway has swum 900 miles (1,448 km) and estimates that he has taken three million strokes in that time.

Hazards on his journey have included jellyfish - he has been stung 10 times - swallowing sea water and feeling seasick.

In past few weeks his jaw has been so cold he has been unable to chew solid foods and has had to have meals pureed.

News 24 Hour